'It's A Sin' and 'Sex Education' stars named in Bafta Breakthrough 2021 selection

The rising stars chosen by Bafta for its 2021 Breakthrough cohort have been named, including stars of It's A Sin and Sex Education.

Lydia West, who played Jill Baxter in Channel 4 acclaimed drama It's A Sin and also starred in Years and Years, is one of those chosen for the prestigious career support and coaching programme for promising young stars of the industry.

Also on the list is George Robinson, who Sex Education viewers will recognise as character Isaac.

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Other UK up-and-coming stars chosen for the programme include actor Ellora Torchia, presenter Elle Osili-Wood, Coronation Street director and writer David Proud, and I Hate Suzi director Georgi Banks-Davies.

The US stars making the cut include 37 Seconds writer and director Hikari, and Alien V composer Orlando Perez Rosso.

Bafta's Breakthrough cohort includes 36 future stars of film, television and games who were chosen by a cross-industry global jury.

While they are members of the programme, they will be offered one-to-one industry meetings, global networking opportunities, career coaching and professional skills development, giving their chances at success a huge boost.

The scheme, which is in association with Netflix, launched globally in 2020 but had been running as a British initiative since 2013.

Performers who have previously been championed by the scheme include I May Destroy You's Paapa Essiedu, Hawkeye and Midsommar star Florence Pugh, and Golden Globe-winning star of The Crown Josh O’Connor.

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Bafta chief exec Amanda Berry said: “Congratulations to each and every one of our Breakthrough recipients, both in the US and UK. These 36 individuals, as chosen by our industry juries, have demonstrated extraordinary creativity in film, games, and television.

"As part of this initiative, I am absolutely delighted that they will benefit from support at a critical point in their careers, peer-to-peer networking opportunities and industry meetings.

"As a global arts charity, it was a key, and exciting, move for BAFTA in 2020 to bring US talent into the Breakthrough initiative. With the help of Netflix, we are delighted to be a part of these talented individuals’ next steps.”

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