Celebrating creativity no.252 - BAFTA Breakthrough

Celebrating creativity no.252 - BAFTA Breakthrough

A breakthrough is rarely one big moment.

More often, it is the result of years spent developing your craft, building relationships, taking opportunities and continuing through the periods when progress is much harder to see.

This week, we’re celebrating the 21 creatives selected for the 2026 BAFTA Breakthrough UK programme, supported by Netflix.

Now in its 13th year, BAFTA Breakthrough recognises people working across film, television and games who are approaching—or already experiencing—a significant moment in their careers.

The 2026 cohort includes producers, writers, directors, performers, casting directors, designers, developers and people working across hair and make-up, documentary and unscripted production.

That range is important. Audiences naturally associate screen success with the people they see performing, but every production relies on an enormous network of creative and technical talent.

This year’s Breakthroughs include people whose work has shaped casting, production design, reporting, game development and many other elements audiences may experience without necessarily knowing who created them.

Over the next year, the cohort will receive one-to-one meetings, career guidance, access to industry networking events and full BAFTA membership.

That support arrives at an interesting point in a creative career. Getting your first opportunity is difficult, but turning early recognition into something sustainable can bring a completely different set of challenges.

Access to experienced people, honest guidance and a strong professional network can make a real difference.

More than 330 people have participated in BAFTA Breakthrough globally. Previous UK alumni include Florence Pugh, Tom Holland, Jessie Buckley, Bella Ramsey, Paapa Essiedu and Letitia Wright, alongside people building influential careers behind the camera and across games.

The programme is a useful reminder that emerging talent does not only need to be discovered. It also needs the support, connections and room to develop into a lasting creative career.

Congratulations to all 21 members of the 2026 BAFTA Breakthrough UK cohort. We look forward to seeing what comes next.

Meet the 2026 BAFTA Breakthrough UK cohort

➡️ Every Friday, we use the Handle blog and socials to celebrate the organisations, initiatives and people supporting the creative industries. If you would like to nominate something for a future edition, please get in touch.