Check out our Spotlight Prize gallery of past winners and highly commended finalists listed by year.
The first ever Spotlight Prize (or the Millington Award, as it was originally known) was held in 1954. The inaugural award was won by the late Jeremy Brett – best known for his iconic portrayal of ‘Sherlock Holmes’ in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Who could’ve guessed that all these years later the Spotlight Prize would still be going strong and be bigger and better than ever!
We may not have a photo of Jeremy Brett during his award-winning performance but we do have plenty of other photos of Spotlight Prize winners in action, such as Bessie Carter (Bridgerton), Mimî M Khayisa (The Witcher), Rhiannon Clements (Hollyoaks), Faye Marsay (Andor) and Kurt Egyiawan (House of the Dragon).
As the Spotlight Prize continues to give drama school graduates a unique opportunity to integrate themselves into the industry, we’ll continue to grow this collection of photos.
Note: The Screen Award for the Spotlight Prize was first introduced for our 2016 showcase. Before this, there was an overall winner and a ‘Highly Commended’ runner-up.
Jump to: 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024
2024
Stage Award winner Alyssa Thabisile Sibanda during the Spotlight Prize 2024 showcase. / Image credit: Joanna Nicole Photography
Screen Award winner Senam Akpokavi during the Spotlight Prize 2024 showcase. / Image credit: Joanna Nicole Photography
2023
Stage Award winner Teddy Moore during the Spotlight Prize 2023 showcase. / Image credit: Joanna Nicole Photography
Screen Award winner Shannon Watson during the Spotlight Prize 2023 showcase. / Image credit: Joanna Nicole Photography
2022
Stage Award winner Angela Jones during the Spotlight Prize 2022 showcase. / Image credit: Joanna Nicole Photography
Screen Award winner Aaron Hodgetts during the Spotlight Prize 2022 showcase. / Image credit: Joanna Nicole Photography
2021
Note: There was no Stage Award or showcase this year due to Covid-19.
Still of Screen Award winner Sam Pearce during their Spotlight Prize 2021 screen performance.
2020
Note: There was no Stage Award or showcase this year due to Covid-19.
Still of Screen Award winner Nimshi Kongolo during their Spotlight Prize 2020 screen performance.
2019
Stage Award winner Rhiannon Clements during the Spotlight Prize 2019 showcase. / Image credit: Joanna Nicole Photography
Screen Award winner Lucy Reynolds during the Spotlight Prize 2019 showcase. / Image credit: Joanna Nicole Photography
2018
Stage Award winner Lucie Sword during the Spotlight Prize 2018 showcase. / Image credit: Joanna Nicole Photography
Screen Award winner Francesco Piacentini-Smith during the Spotlight Prize 2018 showcase. / Image credit: Joanna Nicole Photography
2017
Stage Award winner Cecily Redman during the Spotlight Prize 2017 showcase. / Image credit: Joanna Nicole Photography
Screen Award winner Yasmin Mwanza during the Spotlight Prize 2017 showcase. / Image credit: Joanna Nicole Photography
2016
Stage Award winner Peter Losasso during the Spotlight Prize 2016 showcase.
Screen Award winner Bessie Carter during the recording for her screen performance.
2015
Spotlight Prize winner Rosalind Eleazar during the Spotlight Prize 2015 showcase.
Highly Commended runner up Edward Bluemel during the Spotlight Prize 2015 showcase.
2014
Spotlight Prize winner Samuel Valentine during the Spotlight Prize 2014 showcase.
Spotlight Prize winner Joseph Prowen during the Spotlight Prize 2014 showcase.
2013
Spotlight Prize winner Mimî M Khayisa during the Spotlight Prize 2013 showcase.
Highly Commended runner-up Grace Chilton during the Spotlight Prize 2013 showcase.
2012
Spotlight Prize winner Faye Marsay during the Spotlight Prize 2012 showcase.
Highly Commended runner-up Molly Vevers during the Spotlight Prize 2012 showcase.
2011
Spotlight Prize winner Kurt Egyiawan during the Spotlight Prize 2011 showcase.
Highly Commended runner-up Kirsty Oswald after the Spotlight Prize 2011 showcase.
2010
Spotlight Prize winner Andrew Gower during the Spotlight Prize 2010 showcase.
Highly Commended runner-up Ali Bell after the Spotlight Prize 2010 showcase.
Find out more about the Spotlight Prize and our 2025 finalists.
