The actress who shot to stardom with her role in Sarah Gavron's movie beats Conrad Khan, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Morfydd Clark, and Sope Dirisu to win the coveted title.
- Apr 12, 2021
AceShowbiz - "Rocks" actress Bukky Bakray has won BAFTA's EE Rising Star Award.
The 19-year-old actress from East London took home the prestigious accolade after appearing in BAFTA-nominated film "Rocks", directed by Sarah Gavron, triumphing over fellow nominees Conrad Khan, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Morfydd Clark, and Sope Dirisu.
Gavron discovered Bakray at school, aged 15, and cast the youngster in her first-ever acting role.
Her win was announced by James McAvoy, winner of the first ever BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2006, the only publicly voted award, who appeared on stage at London's Royal Albert Hall in front of the virtual audience.
The teenager looked stunned at her win as she accepted a kiss from her mother on her live Zoom link, amid loud cheering from friends and family at home.
"Thank you so much Bafta and EE, I appreciate this so much," she said. "The highlight of this awards journey has been recognition in a category with my fellow nominees, I can't describe how humbling and what a blessing it is to be put on the same boat as those talented human beings."
"I've got a special appreciation for the Rocks family as well. Thank you for seeing something in me that I never saw in myself. Thank you EE for continuing to spotlight new and emerging talent."
As well as her EE Rising Star Award, Bakray has received nominations from the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) and London Critics Circle, and was also shortlisted in BAFTA's Leading Actress category, losing out to Frances McDormand for "Nomadland".
She is currently enrolled in Theatre Peckham's Originate Acting Course, where young performers receive specialist training from top-tier drama institutions, such as Guildhall School and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.
