Following her emotional, scene-stealing performance in Steve McQueen’s upcoming historical drama, 12 Years A Slave, the whole world is waking up to the talents of Lupita Nyong’o, so it comes as no surprise that she’s in the running for this year’s Bafta Rising Star award.
The Kenyan-born actress is one of five young actors shortlisted for the honour by a panel including actress Gemma Arterton, Pippa Harris, the deputy chair of Bafta’s film committee and film critic Mark Kermode.
Nyong’o who stars in the film as a cotton picking slave named Patsey opposite Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender and Brad Pitt, has been widely praised for her performance and is said to be “absolutely delighted” by her Bafta nod.
The talented actress is also nominated in the best supporting actress category at this year’s Golden Globes, and is also being tipped to receive an Academy Award nomination.
The Bafta ceremony takes place on February 16th.
