Meet 2026's EE Rising Star Nominees

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.

Voting is now open and you can have until 12 February to cast your votes.

Find out more about who the nominees for 2026 are below…

British actor Robert Aramayo can be seen in this year’s I, Swear. The Kirk Jones’ film, inspired by Tourette Syndrome advocate J. Davidson, premiered at the 2025 Toronto Film Festival and saw him receive the BIFA for Best Lead Performance.

Aramayo, who is originally from Hull and graduated from The Juilliard School, also appears in Annemarie Jacir’s Palestine 36 – shortlisted for Best International Film for the 98th Academy Awards. And he is known for his work including playing Elrond in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

New York-born actor and musician, Miles Caton’s breakout role was Sammie in this year’s hit Sinners. The Ryan Coogler film has seen him earn global acclaim and a Critics Choice Award for Best Young Actor.

Mastering the guitar in just two months to embody the character of Sammie, Caton has been building a dynamic music career alongside his acting. Caton first went viral in 2017 and has since co-written “Last Time (I Seen the Sun)” for Sinners as well as releasing debut single “Somethin’” in 2025.

A Golden Globe nominated actress, Chase Infiniti has been earning acclaim for her star-making lead in One Battle After Another. The Paul Thomas Anderson film has seen her receive NBR’s 2025 Breakthrough Performance award and nominations for the Critics’ Choice, and Gotham awards.

Infiniti’s breakout role was in Apple TV+’s 2024 hit Presumed Innocent, and she will next be seen on screen leading Hulu’s The Testaments. She has also recently wrapped N. Byrne’s film The Julia Set.

British actor Archie Madekwe recently starred in critically acclaimed Sundance hit Lurker. Exploring the darker side of fame and parasocial relationships, the film also saw Madekwe take his first producer credit.

Madekwe is also known for standout performances in Saltburn and Gran Turismo, Midsommar and Beau Is Afraid. He can also be seen on TV and will soon be joining Amazon’s Steal after roles in Apple TV+’s See and BBC’s Les Misérables. And, having already made his West End debut in E. Albee’s The Goat this year will see him return to the stage for The Arrival.

British stage, TV and film actress Posy Sterling is a BIFA Breakthrough winner and Screen Star of Tomorrow who has been earning acclaim for BBC film Lollipop.

Sterling’s recent screen work includes multi-BAFTA-nominated The Outrun and World on Fire. While on stage she spent seven weeks in New York performing The Cherry Orchard at St. Ann’s Warehouse after starring in the Donmar Warehouse production, and the National Theatre’s Dixon and Daughters and Faith, Hope & Charity. Her upcoming roles will be in Trigger Point and Channel 4’s Dirty Business.