From the latest films to groundbreaking television series, discover the shows and sounds inspiring the next generation of actors.
For an actor, watching film, television and performance art isn’t just entertainment – it’s a vital form of creative research and a way to fuel the imagination. From the gritty realism of modern war dramas to the meticulously crafted character arcs of prestige TV, every story serves as a masterclass and opportunity to witness the talents and techniques of other performers and broaden the emotional toolkit we bring to our own craft.
We asked the finalists of the Spotlight Prize what films, TV shows, podcasts and albums they’re currently enjoying and would recommend other actors watch. Whether you’re looking for a fun watch to unwind to or a bold reimagining of a classic text, these picks represent the stories that have sparked inspiration for the next generation of performers.
Film Recommendations:
Straw (2025)
Recommended by Rolene Annie.
Written and directed by Tyler Perry, Straw is a high-stakes psychological thriller that centres on a single mother’s desperate fight for survival. The film stars Taraji P. Henson as ‘Janiyah’, who finds herself pushed to an absolute breaking point as she navigates a series of catastrophic events over the course of a single day. The cast also includes Sherri Shepherd and Teyana Taylor.
Warfare (2025)
Recommended by Thomas Carter-Wright.
Co-written and directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, Warfare is a visceral, real-time war drama that follows a Navy SEAL platoon during a high-stakes mission in Iraq. The film stars D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai as ‘Ray’, a young lead communicator who must navigate a nightmarish standoff after an ambush leaves his team trapped and reeling from a devastating explosion. The cast also includes Will Poulter, Joseph Quinn, Finn Bennett and Kit Connor.
Anora (2024)
Recommended by Jennifer Drew Ememandu.
Written and directed by Sean Baker, Anora is a high-energy romantic comedy-drama that follows a young Brooklyn stripper who believes she has found her fairy tale. The film stars Mikey Madison as ‘Ani’, whose life takes a chaotic turn after she impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch during a whirlwind trip to Las Vegas. The cast also includes Mark Eydelshteyn, Paul Weissman and Emily Weider.
Seven (1995)
Recommended by Lily Kate Hearns.
Directed by David Fincher, Seven is a haunting neo-noir thriller that follows two homicide detectives on the trail of a serial killer whose crimes are themed after the seven deadly sins. The film stars Morgan Freeman as ‘William Somerset’, a world-weary veteran nearing retirement who is reluctantly paired with Brad Pitt’s ‘David Mills’ – an impulsive and idealistic newcomer. As they descend into the city’s bleak criminal underworld, they must decipher a series of gruesome tableaus before the killer completes his masterpiece. The cast also includes Gwyneth Paltrow and Kevin Spacey.
F1: The Movie (2025)
Recommended by Stage Award Winner Scot Greenan.
Another film starring Brad Pitt, this time directed by Joseph Kosinski. F1 is a high-octane sports drama that captures the adrenaline-fueled world of Formula 1 racing. Pitt plays ‘Sonny Hayes’, a veteran driver who returns to the cockpit decades after a devastating crash to mentor a struggling team. The cast also includes Damson Idris, Javier Bardem and Kerry Condon.
Sinners (2025)
Recommended by Maria-Chantal Mbadinuju and Karishma Friers.
Written and directed by Ryan Coogler, Sinners is a supernatural horror film set in the 1930s Mississippi Delta. The film stars Michael B. Jordan in dual roles as ‘Smoke’ and ‘Stack’ – twin brothers who return to their hometown to open a juke joint, only to find themselves hunted by a mysterious and ancient evil. The cast also includes Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell and Wunmi Mosaku.
Television Recommendations:
What It Feels Like for a Girl (2025)
Recommended by Liberty Dearsley.
Created by Paris Lees and based on her acclaimed memoir, What It Feels Like for a Girl is a raw and anarchic coming-of-age drama set at the turn of the millennium. The series stars Ellis Howard as ‘Byron’, a working-class teenager from a small Nottinghamshire town who escapes a stifling home life to find a chosen family in the city’s hedonistic queer underground. The cast also includes Laura Haddock, Michael Socha, Hannah Jones and Laquarn Lewis.
This City Is Ours (2025)
Recommended by Screen Award Winner Polly Graves.
Created by Stephen Butchard, This City Is Ours is a high-stakes crime drama set in the gritty underworld of Liverpool. The series follows James Nelson-Joyce as ‘Michael Kavanagh’, a long-time gang member who begins to imagine a life away from crime after falling in love, only to find his future threatened by a violent power struggle. The cast also includes Sean Bean, Hannah Onslow and Jack McMullen.
Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
Recommended by Tom McMillan.
This legendary show needs no introduction. Created by Vince Gilligan, Breaking Bad follows a struggling high school chemistry teacher who turns to a life of crime after being diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. The series stars Bryan Cranston as ‘Walter White’, who begins manufacturing and selling methamphetamine to secure his family’s financial future, only to be consumed by his own pursuit of power. The cast also includes Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt and RJ Mitte.
Adolescence (2025)
Recommended by Gregor Curran.
Created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, Adolescence is a groundbreaking, real-time crime drama that explores the devastating ripple effects of a single violent act. The series stars Owen Cooper as ‘Jamie’, a quiet 13-year-old whose life is upended when he is arrested for the murder of a classmate, with Stephen Graham delivering a visceral performance as his shell-shocked father, ‘Eddie’. Filmed in one continuous shot per episode, the narrative follows the family’s descent into a legal and emotional nightmare. The cast also includes Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty and Faye Marsay.
Schitt’s Creek (2015-2020)
Recommended by Tilda Fassih.
Created by Eugene Levy and Daniel Levy, Schitt’s Creek is a witty and heart-centred comedy series that follows the formerly wealthy Rose family after they lose their fortune to a fraudulent business manager. The series stars Eugene Levy as ‘Johnny’ and Catherine O’Hara as ‘Moira’, who are forced to relocate to a run-down motel in a quirky small town they once bought as a joke. The cast also includes Dan Levy, Annie Murphy, Emily Hampshire and Chris Elliott.
Music and Podcast Recommendations:
Preacher’s Daughter by Ethel Cain
Recommended by H Randkin.
Written and produced by Ethel Cain, Preacher’s Daughter is a Southern Gothic concept album inspired by the artist’s personal life as the daughter of a deacon. It follows the tragic journey of a fictional young woman named ‘Ethel’, documenting her flight from a suffocating religious upbringing in the Florida Panhandle through a series of dark encounters across the American heartland. Blending elements of slow-core, ethereal pop and Americana, the narrative explores themes of generational trauma, obsession and sacrifice.
Post Heaven by Jadu Heart
Recommended by Oscar Picking.
Written and produced by Alex Headford and Diva-Sachy Jeffrey, Post Heaven is a raw and atmospheric alternative album that explores the emotional fallout of the duo’s real-life breakup after a nine-year relationship. Blending elements of shoegaze, 90s alt-rock and experimental electronica, the record acts as a sonic journey through the stages of grief, betrayal and eventual resilience.
In the Moment with Adam Lowder
Recommended by Theo Athinou.
Hosted by Adam Lowder, In the Moment is an insightful podcast designed to peel back the curtain on the artistic process and the psychological journey of the modern actor. Each episode features deep-dive conversations with industry professionals that explore the balance between creativity and vulnerability, aiming to make fellow artists feel less alone in their craft.
The Blindboy Podcast
Recommended by Molly McFadden.
Hosted by artist and author Blindboy Boatclub, The Blindboy Podcast is an eclectic and deeply immersive series. Described by the host as a “podcast hug”, the show follows the Irish tradition of the Seanchaí, seamlessly weaving together history, fiction and surreal ‘hot takes’ on everything from art history to the colonial origins of food.
The Hollywood Reporter Actors Roundtable
Recommended by Tumba Katanda.
Hosted by various editors from The Hollywood Reporter, Actors Roundtable is an acclaimed discussion series that gathers the season’s most celebrated performers for a candid, long-form conversation. The podcast explores the intricacies of the craft, from the vulnerability required for challenging roles to the pressures of navigating the modern film industry. Recent participants have included powerhouse names such as Paul Mescal, Adrien Brody, Daniel Craig and Sebastian Stan.
Find out more about the Spotlight Prize.
