Up and coming stars of the film and gaming industries from across south London have been recognised by Bafta.

Seven talented newcomers from south of the river made Bafta’s list of 18 Breakthrough Brits for 2015.

They were recognised at a reception at the Burberry flagship store in Regent Street this week, hosted by BBC Radio 1 presenter Greg James and actors Julie Walters, Jessica Hynes, James Norton, Noel Clarke and Alice Eve.

The south Londoners honoured were:

  • Blackheath writer and actress Charlie Covell who wrote and starred in Russell T Davies’ groundbreaking shows Banana and Cucumber this year.
  • Actor Alex Lawther, 20, who lives in Peckham and impressed as the young Alan Turing in The Imitation Game.
  • Actor Martin McCann who was born in Belfast but now lives in Kennington and whose recent work includes ’71 and The Survivalist.
  • Deptford writer Regina Moriarty, who worked as a tutor in the Probation Service for a decade before enrolling in a screenwriting masters course aged 41. She went on to write the staggering drama Murdered By My Boyfriend, which saw her nominated for two Baftas.
  • Wandsworth writer Tess Morris, who wrote this year’s hit rom-com Man Up starring Simon Pegg and Lake Bell.
  • Jessica Saunders, a games sound designer from Godalming who now lives in Clapham. Her work includes one of 2015’s biggest games releases Batman: Arkham Knight.
  • Luke Whittaker, originally from Eynsford and now living in Brockley. He is a games creative director who was instrumental in the creation of the vividly imaginative Lumino City and head-scratching puzzler KAMI.

Breakthrough Brits was introduced in 2013 and those recognised have gone on to win four Baftas. Among the names on last year’s list was Kingston’s Tom Holland, who is shortly to appear in Ron Howard’s In the Heart of the Sea and has been cast as the new Spider-Man.

Bafta’s chief executive Amanda Berry OBE said: “Now in its third year, Breakthrough Brits showcases exciting new talent across film, television and games, and supports them – with mentoring and inspiration from leading industry figures – as they take the next steps in their career. 

“I’m particularly pleased there are so many female Breakthrough Brits this year, and from a variety of specialisms including cinematography, games design and sound where women are often underrepresented.”

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