Strictly’s Rose Ayling-Ellis and This Is Going To Hurt star recognised in BAFTA Breakthrough 2022

Virgin Radio

11 Nov 2022, 07:43

Former EastEnders actress and Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose Ayling-Ellis is among those named in the BAFTA Breakthrough class of 2022. 

The BAFTA Breakthrough showcases and supports the next generation of creative talent in British TV, film and games, and identifies those who have had a stand-out year. 

Those who are named in the prestigious list will receive support in their professional careers, including coaching and mentoring by other big names in the biz. 

The BAFTA Breakthrough doesn’t just recognise on-screen talent, but those behind the camera in cinematography, directing and design. 

Alongside Rose in the class of 2022, This is Going To Hurt star Ambika Mod was also recognised for her breakout role in the BBC medical series. She starred as junior doctor Shruti Acharya opposite Ben Whishaw. 

Big Boys creator Jack Rooke, Ralph & Kati star Leon Harrop and Heartstopper cinematographer Diana Olifirova were also included in the illustrious group for this year. 

Previous breakthrough stars who then went on to massive success include Florence Pugh, Black Panther star Letitia Wright and This Country’s Daisy May Cooper. 

Speaking to BAFTA about landing on the 2022 Breakthrough list, Rose, who is deaf and has a cochlear implant, said: “Breaking through in the industry as an actor is really hard, but when you have a disability it’s even harder. I want to do more acting. I’m really passionate about that, but opportunity doesn’t come to me very often. BAFTA Breakthrough is a programme for opportunity, so I’m hoping it will provide me with more.”

Making a plea with those behind the cameras in TV and film, Rose insisted there should be more opportunities for those with disabilities. 

She added: “You don’t need to make disabled stories, just have disabled people in them as characters. It should have some element of them being disabled, because that’s who they are, but it doesn’t have to be about that. The change needs to be behind the scenes, too... There are people trying, which is better than not. But it’s just so slow. It’s like, ‘Come on! Can’t we go a bit faster please?’’”

Meanwhile, actress Ambika shared some of her journey to the small-screen with BAFTA, explaining: “When Covid hit and my live comedy went away, I began to figure out what it was I wanted to do. I started doing acting classes, because I thought if I’m not working I might as well try to get better at that. Then out of nowhere I got This is Going to Hurt... It was like a fever dream. Since then, everything seems to have blown up in a really amazing way.

“I just really want to get better. When they watch something I’m in, I want people to trust and have faith in that project. I want to be a really reliable person, both onscreen and to work with behind the scenes. If I can keep doing that, I’ll be happy.”

To find out more about the BAFTA Breakthrough 2022 cohort, visit BAFTA Breakthrough UK.