Young Offenders Star Named In BAFTA Breakthrough List

The honourees will be celebrated at a special event on Wednesday 7 November

Chris Walley who plays Jock in The Young Offenders has been included in the list of nineteen breakthrough talents in film, games and television.

Breakthrough Brits is BAFTA's flagship initiative that identifies and supports the next generation of creative talent. Selected by a jury of industry experts after a UK-wide open call for nominations and applications, the 2018 Breakthrough Brits will be supported by BAFTA over the next 12 months as they progress their careers.

Figures who have given support to the 2017 Breakthrough Brits in the past year include: actress Tilda Swinton, actor and producer Brad Pitt, game designer and developer Brenda Romero, actress Oliva Colman, director Tom Harper and game designer Tim Schafer.

Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said: “We are delighted to announce our 2018 Breakthrough Brits, hugely talented individuals from a range of backgrounds at a pivotal stage in their careers.  As Breakthrough Brits reaches its sixth year, it is wonderful to see what our previous Breakthrough Brits have gone on to achieve, and I am so excited to see, with BAFTA’s support, guidance and mentorship, what our 2018 honourees will do next.”

The full list of BAFTA Breakthroughs are:

• Adrienne Law – Games Producer
• Annie Price – Presenter
• Chris Walley – Actor
• Daniel Kokotajlo – Writer/Director
• Daniel Lawrence Taylor – Actor/Writer
• Ellena Wood – Director
• Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly – Producer
• Harry Nesbitt – Artist and Game Developer
• Jay Armstrong – Game Developer
• Jessica Barden – Actress
• John Campbell and Katie Goode – Technical Director & Creative Director
• Lucy Cohen – Writer/Director
• Luisa Omielan –  Comedian
• Lottie Bevan – Co-Founder & COO
• Michael Pearce – Director
• Paapa Essiedu – Actor
• Ria Zmitrowicz – Actress
• Vanessa Whyte – Cinematographer