Bristol-based producer makes BAFTA's list of 'must-watch' creatives
The 2025 cohort for BAFTA Breakthrough UK, supported by Netflix, has been announced
It's been months in the curating, and today (25 November), the 2025 cohort for BAFTA Breakthrough UK, supported by Netflix, has been announced.
The list features 20 ‘must-watch’ creatives working in film, games and television - and includes a producer from Bristol.
The Academy's flagship new talent programme remains an essential part of BAFTA's mission to inspire and nurture creative talent - a vision shared by Netflix, who support the scheme in the UK.
The year-round initiative provides hand-selected creatives from a vast range of disciplines, who are on the cusp or in the midst of a breakthrough moment, with a springboard to the next exciting phase of their careers.
Alderney Middleton
Bristol-based producer Alderney Middleton - the Head of Production / Production Executive at Sun and Moon - is one of the 20 who've made this year's list.
She's been praised for her passion of putting people first in the creative industry.
Alderney fell in love with the world of series production, embracing collaboration and new ways of solving problems, and believes every voice matters on a team, and is committed to running productions that look after both wellbeing and the bottom line.
She told Hits Radio: "My first reaction was that, well... I didn't believe it!
"It's been a bit of a whirlwind since I found out, and I was genuinely over the moon to find out I've made the list.
"Genuinely, it's a huge honour."
Now the list is out, Alderney and the rest of the creatives have an opportunity to springboard themselves to the next stage of their careers.
She tells us that's exactly what she's going to do, adding: "I would love to meet other like-minded producers, but I would also like to understand what boundaries there currently are for new talent, and new voices, who aren't aware that TV and animation could be the path for them.
"I really want to try and understand where the gaps are to encourage untapped talent.
"Bristol and the South West is such an amazing creative hub, so being chosen by BAFTA... I'm just really chuffed, and there's so much to shout about from up and down the region."
The full list
This year's UK cohort span craft specialisms from costume design, production, casting, editing and games design, to performance, writing, directing, composing and cinematography, and have worked on some of the most acclaimed creative projects from the last year.
The full list of this year’s BAFTA Breakthrough UK cohort:
- Akinola Davies Jr - director/co-writer (My Father’s Shadow)
- Alderney Middleton - series producer (Maddie + Triggs)
- Cara Ellison – writer/ narrative designer (Ghost Town)
- Ellis Howard - performer (What It Feels Like for a Girl)
- Jodie-Simone Howe - costume designer (Mr Loverman)
- Kyle Banks -director (Farewell North)
- Laura Carreira - director/writer (On Falling)
- Marie-Elena Dyche - producer (Harvest)
- Mark Choi – composer (Empire of the Ants)
- Matthew Gurney - performer (Reunion)
- Megumi Inman - co-director/producer (Atomic People)
- Nathalie Pitters - director of photography (Brian and Maggie)
- Nathaniel Price - writer/associate producer (Mr Loverman)
- Olaide Sadiq - director (Grenfell: Uncovered)
- Owen Tooth - director (EastEnders)
- Pinny Grylls - director/writer/editor (Grand Theft Hamlet)
- Sally Beaumont - lead voice actor/script consultant (Old Skies)
- Stanley Baxton - solo developer (LATEX, LEATHER, LIPSTICK, LOVE, LUST)
- Stephanie Taylor - composer (The Search For Nicola Bulley)
- Vivian Eguridu - series casting producer (Love is Blind UK Series 1)
Jane Millichip, CEO of BAFTA, said: "It is an absolute pleasure to welcome this year's outstanding participants of BAFTA Breakthrough. For 12 years this BAFTA talent programme has supported creatives and practitioners in film, games and television to navigate the often complex corridors of the screen arts. I am enormously grateful to Netflix for their continued support of BAFTA and for their shared passion and commitment to providing opportunity and career pathways for UK talent from all backgrounds."
Anne Mensah, Vice President, UK Content at Netflix, said: “Netflix is passionate about supporting and uplifting the next generation of talent from across the industry. The Breakthrough UK cohort announced today comprises such an exciting range of names, and it is an honour to continue to support an initiative that will help these brilliant creatives build connections, improve confidence, and ultimately launch the next phase of their careers.”
Globally, over 330 people have passed through the programme to date, including screenwriters, actors, games designers, producers, costume designers, directors, director of photography, editors and production designers.
Many go on to develop their own games, TV shows or features and achieve national and international industry acclaim, including 200 BAFTA nominations and over 80 wins.
Breakthrough participants are selected through an open application process.
This year's cohort were selected by five sector specialist groups made up of leading industry figures from the world of film, games and television with BAFTA and Netflix representatives.
Now in its sixth year supporting BAFTA Breakthrough UK, Netflix continues to play an integral role in the scheme - helping to spotlight and provide opportunities for emerging talent across creative disciplines, and to develop and support stories and voices from a diverse range of backgrounds.