We’re thrilled to announce the exceptionally talented graduates taking home this year’s Spotlight Prize.
Following a spectacular evening of performances in London, our expert industry juries have selected the winners for the Spotlight Prize 2026.
This year marked an exciting evolution for the showcase, featuring an expanded format with 40 incredible finalists split across two dedicated categories – the Screen Prize and the Stage Prize.
In an extraordinary twist for the live portion of the evening, the Stage jury had such a difficult time deciding between the exceptional performances that they made the historic decision to award two Stage Prizes!
The Stage Prize Winner
Our expert panel of live judges faced an incredibly tough decision this year. Unable to split two standout performances, the jury ultimately decided to name two joint winners for the 2026 Stage Prize, celebrating excellence in both spoken word and musical performance. Both pieces were directed by actor, writer and Open Door founder David Mumeni.
Daniel Francis-Carter – Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Daniel captivated the room and secured his Stage Prize with a powerful, gripping performance of Cock by Mike Bartlett.
Sophie Lagden – Royal Academy of Music
Sophie blew the audience away and took home her Stage Prize for her stunning performance of’Isn’t This Better (lyrics by Fred Ebb and music by John Kander).
The Stage Prize jury included a stellar cross-section of renowned performers and casting professionals: Amber Rose Revah, Amy Ball CDG, David Grindrod CDG, Elaine Cassidy, Faye Marsay (a former Spotlight Prize winner!), Heather Basten CDG CSA, Jamie Bamber, Lucy Casson CDG, Paul Wooller CDG, Philip Glenister, Shelley Conn, Tamsyn Manson CDG CSA, and Victoria Hamilton.
The Screen Prize Winner
Molly McLoughlin – The Lir
The 2026 Screen Prize was awarded to Molly McLoughlin from The Lir. They were chosen for their captivating on-camera performance of Best Interests by Jack Thorne, recorded at the Spotlight Studios and directed by the acclaimed Paulette Randall MBE.
The Screen Prize jury brought vast experience from global film and television to review the filmed monologues. The panel consisted of: Aisha Bywaters CDG CSA, Anja Dihrberg-Siebler ICDA, David Rubin CSA, Don Warrington MBE, Jason Watkins, Lucy Allen CDG and Tom Payne CDG (Allen & Payne Casting), Martin Ware CDG CSA, Simone Pereira Hind CDG, and Steven Tylocr O’Connor CSA.
Celebrating our 2026 Finalists
A huge congratulations must go to every single one of the brilliant finalists who took part in this year’s expanded showcase. Shortlisted from over 90 drama schools and universities, they put on a wonderful display of their craft, proving that the future of acting across the UK and Ireland is in incredibly bright hands. They should all be immensely proud of their achievements.
This year’s Screen Prize Finalists were: 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 Studio 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), 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), and Yves Morris (Mountview).
This year’s Stage Prize Finalists were: 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 (RADA), Kevin Ofosuhene (University of East London), Lucy Jarvis-Chase (Bristol Old Vic), Madeline Holland (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland), Olivia Grace Sullivan (CAST), Priscilly Teca (Gaiety School of Acting), Rebecca Hennessey (Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama) and Sophie Lagden (Royal Academy of Music). A special mention to Usuazo O’David (Urdang) who was a finalists but was unable to take part due to work commitments.
About the Spotlight Prize
The winners receive a cash prize of £2,000 and a year’s complimentary Spotlight membership to help launch their professional journeys.
Spotlight’s Managing Director Matt Hood noted, “The Spotlight Prize has again delivered an outstanding cohort of graduates of drama and musical theatre and tonight we saw 39 incredible and diverse, thrilling performances. The talent we witnessed on stage and on screen are but the tip of the iceberg for the next generation of performers. Congratulations to Molly, Daniel and Sophie on your unforgettable, standout achievements on this historic night for the Spotlight Prize.”
The Spotlight Prize has a long history of launching successful careers, with previous finalists and alums including legendary names like Dame Judi Dench, Brian Cox, Ben Whishaw, Jodie Comer and Sam Heughan.
Congratulations once again to our winners and to all of our brilliant 2026 Spotlight Prize finalists. We can’t wait to see where your talent takes you next.Ω
