Meet 2025’s EE Rising Star

The EE Rising Star Award honours a performer who has shown truly outstanding talent on the big screen in the past year and captured the attention of both the public and film industry. Find out who the winner and nominees were in 2025…

David Jonsson is a British actor who has gained an international following this year thanks to his performance as the ‘synthetic human’ Andy in Alien: Romulus. The latest instalment of the sci-fi horror franchise follows a group of space colonizers as they come face-to-face with the most terrifying life form in the universe while scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station.

David is also known for his performances in Industry, and his critically acclaimed film debut Rye Lane. Next up for the actor who was recently featured on Variety’s 2024 “10 actors to watch” list are roles in Wasteman, The Long Walk, and Scandalous.

Commenting on his nomination, David Jonsson said: “This is bonkers…Thank you BAFTA, EE and the wonderful jury for this nomination. As a young boy growing up in East London, I couldn’t think of an honour that’s more about the people, and proof that you can do it too. An absolute blessing and dream. Thank you, truly.”

Marisa Abela is a London-based actress garnering critical acclaim and accolades for her portrayal of Amy Winehouse after starring in Sam Taylor Johnson’s film Back to Black. In the biographical drama Marisa takes on the role of the singer in the years from adolescence through to when she created the groundbreaking album the film is named after.

Aside from embodying Amy on the big screen Marisa is also known for her role as Yasmin Kara-Hanani in the popular BBC/HBO TV drama series, Industry. And in March 2025, Marisa, a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) is set to co-star alongside Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett in Steven Soderbergh’s thriller Black Bag.

Commenting on the nomination Marisa said: “I am deeply honoured to be recognised by BAFTA and EE with a Rising Star nomination and just as grateful to be alongside this year’s other incredibly talented nominees. Their impressive work is inspiration for the next generation of actors coming up whom BAFTA and EE will celebrate in the years to come. It’s truly a privilege to be here today and to have this opportunity to celebrate my peers and our wonderful community of actors.”

Jharrel Jerome, a native New Yorker, has been gaining attention in 2024/2025 as the lead in the biopic Unstoppable. The sports drama – which also stars Jennifer Lopez and Don Cheadle – sees the actor take on the role of Anthony Robles, an athlete who was born without a leg and was determined to pursue his dreams of becoming a wrestler.

Jharrel is also known for his 2019 on-screen debut in the Academy Award winning film Moonlight and his performance in When They See Us which won him a Primetime Emmy Award, as well as an NAACP Image Award.

Commenting on his nomination Jharrel Jerome said: “Receiving this nomination fills me with gratitude and pride. It’s an incredible privilege to tell stories and bring joy to people. Being recognised by the EE BAFTA Film Awards, I hope to inspire young people in the industry to pursue their dreams with passion and perseverance.”

Mikey Madison has been receiving critical acclaim for her recent performance as the lead in Sean Baker’s award season contender Anora. The comedy drama follows a young sex worker from Brooklyn whose life takes an unexpected turn when she meets and impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch, and won the Palme d’Or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.

Previously, Mikey appeared in the fifth instalment of the Scream franchise alongside the cast of the original 1996 cult classic. She also had a notable turn as a member of the Manson family in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, alongside Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Commenting on her nomination, Mikey Madison said: “It has been the greatest privilege of my career thus far making, “Anora”, alongside the brilliant Sean Baker and our incredible cast and crew. To have our film seen and recognised around the world is a dream come true. I am so honoured and grateful to BAFTA and EE for this nomination and for including me amongst this year’s spectacular nominees.”

Nabhaan Rizwan, has been gaining wide spread recognition in 2024/2025 for his performance in British independent film, In Camera. The critically acclaimed film, follows Rizwan’s character Aden who dreams of becoming a successful actor, but is finding that the nightmarish grind of the audition circuit, with its callous rejections and upsetting micro-aggressions, is starting to take its toll.

Nabhaan is a British actor who made his screen debut as the lead in BBC thriller Informer – which won him the Breakthrough Award at the RTS Awards. As well as his big screen success he has also been gaining attention for his recent TV performance alongside Jeff Goldblum in KAOS, a darkly comedic and contemporary reimagining of Greek mythology.

Commenting on his nomination, Nabhaan Rizwan said: “To be named in this category is to stand on the shoulders of giants – an exceptional group of artists who remind us all to keep pushing the envelope. Everyone who worked on In Camera put a little piece of their soul into it. To be here with this film means something very special to me.”

• See all previous EE Rising Star Award Winners