BAFTA RISING STAR NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

Elizabeth Olsen
Andrea Riseborough
Suraj Sharma
Juno Temple
Alicia Vikander

The BAFTA Rising Star award has been a bit of a joke since it came into existence seven years ago, being down to a public vote, resulting in winners from British independent films who never break out anywhere overseas, such as Noel Clarke over Michael Fassbender, Adam Deacon over Eddie Redmayne. Last year's male-centric list (omitting even Jessica Chastain) was, perhaps an anomaly in that - this year, four of the nominees are female, including Elizabeth Olsen, whose Martha Marcy May Marlene was released in the UK last February. Suraj Sharma is, perhaps, the most high-profile actor currently, being in a Best Picture contender, although the four female actors have stronger overall resumes, particularly Andrea Riseborough and Juno Temple, who may also have the advantage of being British.