We’re thrilled to reveal the 40 talented performers selected for the 2026 Spotlight Prize.
As the industry’s most prestigious showcase for emerging talent, the Spotlight Prize has long been a springboard for the next generation of world-class performers. This year, we’re evolving. To celebrate the diverse skills of the next generation, we’re debuting an expanded format, with 40 finalists split across two dedicated categories: The Screen Prize and The Stage Prize.
Shortlisted from over 60 drama schools across the UK and Ireland, these graduates are following in the footsteps of legendary past finalists like Dame Judi Dench, Brian Cox, Bessie Carter, Ben Whishaw, Jim Broadbent, Edward Bluemel and Rosalind Eleazar.
Let’s meet the finalists selected to take part in the Spotlight Prize 2026.
The Screen Prize Finalists
Directed by the acclaimed Paulette Randall MBE (EastEnders, Waterloo Road), these 20 finalists will showcase their craft on camera, mastering the nuances of screen acting:
- Angel O’Callaghan – Oxford School of Drama
- Ashik Rasool – St Mary’s University Twickenham
- Eden Nova Tambala – London Southbank University
- Erin Clark – Queen Margaret University
- Frankie D. Moules – Fourth Monkey
- Joseph K Conteh – Drama School London
- Kate Gerdena – Court Theatre Training Company
- Kayleigh Jade – Guildford School of Acting
- Lauren Park – Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
- Leah Coghlan – Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
- Malea Stroud – Italia Conti (Acting)
- Max Coussins – Laine Theatre Arts
- Molly McLoughlin – The Lir
- Nathaniel Abdo – Bristol Old Vic
- Saqib Bashir – LAMDA
- Sofia Bryan Compton – Rose Bruford College
- Sophie Hough – Performers College Manchester
- Thomalin Sirivattha – East 15
- Tomohiro Roddy – Manchester School of Theatre
- Yves Morris – Mountview
The Stage Prize Finalists
Directed by actor, writer and Open Door founder David Mumeni (Bridgerton, Big Mood), these 20 finalists will take to the stage to perform live monologues in front of an audience of industry professionals:
- Alanna Patton – MTU Cork School of Music
- Anú Forkan – Oxford School of Drama
- Carmen Fyfe Paulo – Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
- Daniel Francis-Carter – Guildhall School of Music and Drama
- Ella O’Callaghan – The Lir
- Elliot Holt – Performance Preparation Academy
- Emily Leask – ArtsEd
- Ethan Rodmell – Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
- Fran Davidson – LAMDA
- Freddy Thompson – Trinity Laban
- Jamie Whitelaw – Bristol School of Acting
- Josh Singh Sian – Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts
- Kevin Ofosuhene – University of East London
- Lucy Jarvis-Chase – Bristol Old Vic
- Madeline Holland – Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
- Olivia Grace Sullivan – Ruthie Henshall’s CAST
- Priscilly Teca – Gaiety School of Acting
- Rebecca Hennessy – Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
- Sophie Lagden – Royal Academy of Music
- Usuazo O’David – Urdang
The Stage Prize finalists will perform in front of an invited audience of top casting directors, agents and producers at our annual Spotlight Prize Showcase on Wednesday 8 July 2026. An esteemed industry jury will then have the difficult task of selecting one winner for each prize. Both winners will take home £2,000 and a one-year Spotlight membership.
Matt Hood, Spotlight’s Managing Director, says: “The 2026 Spotlight Prize finalists are a testament to the future of our industry. Selecting this group was an immense task, as each performer brings a unique, vital energy to the craft. We are incredibly proud to showcase these exceptional graduates and can’t wait to see the impact they’ll undoubtedly make on stage and screen.”
Find out more about the history of the Spotlight Prize.
