David Jonsson Crowned Winner of EE Rising Star Award at 2025 EE BAFTA Film Awards

David Jonsson was revealed as the winner of the EE Rising Star Award for 2025, the only award presented at the EE BAFTA Film Awards that is decided by a public vote.   

HRH The Prince of Wales, president of BAFTA, introduced this year’s coveted award via a pre-recorded video. The award was then presented by previous EE Rising Star Award winners, Letitia Wright (2019 winner) and James McAvoy (the first winner in 2006) at this year’s ceremony, which was held at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall.  

Celebrating its twentieth year, the EE Rising Star Award reinforces EE and BAFTA's commitment to champion the rising film stars of the future and to inspire the next generation to follow their passions and explore their curiosities. The accolade continues to highlight new and up-and-coming talent, who have captured the imagination of the British public and film industry alike over the past year, while also inspiring budding creatives.  

David Jonsson is one of five incredible actors nominated in recognition of their work and identified as a standout rising star. The other nominees are: Marisa Abela, Jharrel Jerome, Mikey Madison and Nabhaan Rizwan. 

David Jonsson is a British actor who most recently starred in Alien: Romulus, where he plays Andy. The sci-fi horror film follows a group of space colonizers as they come face-to-face with the most terrifying life form in the universe while scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station. David rose to fame following his performances in Industry, and his film debut in Rye Lane, which received critical acclaim. He is set to appear in Wasteman, The Long Walk, and Scandalous over the coming years, and was recently featured on Variety’s 2024 '10 actors to watch' list.  

David Jonsson, 2025 EE Rising Star Award Winner, said, “I've got to be honest; this isn't why I do it. I'm just an East London boy, but by way of reflection I didn’t really see a space for me in this industry. This award is about the people and as long as we keep telling stories about people, I think there will be a space for me and for people like me and you and everyone watching at home. So, I’d like to dedicate this to the people - the dreamers, the grafters and the people just trying to do it a little bit different. Star - I don’t know - but rising, I guess. Thank you.” 

Pete Jeavons, marketing communications director at EE, said, “Congratulations to David Jonsson for winning the 2025 EE Rising Star Award. This year is particularly special as we celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the EE Rising Star Award. Over the past two decades, the award has shone a light on the rising film stars of tomorrow and inspired the next generation to follow their passions in the arts. We are incredibly proud that this accolade continues to highlight and celebrate exceptional new talent in the film industry, with nominees and winners alike going on to do great things. We look forward to the bright futures ahead for David and all the outstanding nominees.” 

Jane Millichip, CEO at BAFTA added, "The EE Rising Star Award is such a special accolade and an opportunity to show our dedication to honouring extraordinary new talent in filmmaking. My congratulations to David Jonsson and all the remarkable nominees. This award is a testament to what you’ve already achieved in your acting career to date and I’m excited to see where your incredible talent takes you next.”  

The EE Rising Star Award was created in honour of the late Mary Selway. A highly respected and BAFTA award-winning casting director whose 36-year career saw her work on more than ninety films and work with leading directors such as Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood. Mary’s work contributed to the creation of some of the silver screen’s most memorable characters and in 2001 she received BAFTA’s Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award.  

This year’s EE Rising Star Award nominees were selected by a stellar line up of industry experts who were tasked with selecting the 2025 nominees from a comprehensive list of talented actors. The jury, chaired by Anna Higgs, BAFTA Film Committee Chair, featured actors and former EE Rising Star Award winners, Letitia Wright and Mia McKenna-Bruce, as well as BAFTA-winner, actor and writer/director, Will Sharpe, casting director and BAFTA winner, Aisha Bywaters (We Are Lady Parts and The Kitchen), film producer, Marc Samuelson (Tom & Viv, Wilde and Stormbreaker) and film director, Yann Demange (’71, Top Boy and Lovecraft Country), alongside other leading industry specialists and prominent film and arts journalists. 

EE and BAFTA have extended its partnership, continuing one of the longest standing cultural partnerships in the UK. The multi-year partnership sees EE continue as title sponsor of the EE BAFTA Film Awards, partner of BAFTA Games Awards, BAFTA Scotland and BAFTA Cymru as well as begin its support of Young BAFTA, a year-round programme inspiring the next generation of budding creatives to consider careers with the screen industries.