Irish actress Niamh Algar nominated for BAFTA's Breakthrough Brits 2019

Irish actress Niamh Algar has been nominated as one of BAFTA's 20 Breakthrough Brits this year. The nominees represent the best new talents across film, games and television were revealed today by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in partnership with Netflix. Since its launch in 2013, BAFTA Breakthrough Brits has championed over 100 talented newcomers, including actors Florence Pugh, Josh O’Connor, Malachi Kirby, Ray Panthaki and Molly Windsor, composer Segun Akinola, game producer Dan Gray, and directors Destiny Ekaragha and Michael Pearce.

Mullingar native Niamh Algar, is best known for her impressive performance in BBC's The Virtues, written and directed by Shane Meadows. She was credited with the 2018 Screen International 'Star of Tomorrow' award for that role. However, it's her performance in Calm with Horses for which the BAFTA credits her nomination. In a recent interview with Hot Press's Roe McDermott, Algar revealed many behind-the-scenes anecdotes from both sets, including learning to box and shooting in South Africa.

“I am incredibly grateful that I’m a Breakthrough Brit," gushed Algar. "I’ve followed the careers of previous honourees and they’re so immensely talented! To be recognised by BAFTA feels like I’m on the right path with my career. It’s a lovely honour and I’m very excited for the opportunity to be mentored.”

Algar credits her creative childhood as the start of her career. As a child, she loved to entertain her family with short films she would make on her mum’s old VHS camera. It was through sleepovers with friends that she discovered a world of heavy, female-centric dramas which had a profound impact on her, such as Woman Under the Influence, Girl Interrupted and Monster.

She landed her first leading role in the Independent feature film Without Name, which was particularly exciting, as she was a fan of director Lorcan Finnegan’s previous work. Algar has also worked with many other favourite directors, including Shane Meadows on The Virtues and now Ridley Scott, who has cast her in his sci-fi fantasy, Raised by Wolves,.

Niamh Algar was born and raised in Mullingar, but now resides in South London. She, along with the 19 other honourees will be celebrated at a special event on 7 November at the Banqueting Hall on Whitehall.

The honourees will be celebrated at a special event on Thursday 7 November.

The full list of BAFTA Breakthrough Brits in 2019 is as follows:

Abubakar Salim - Actor (Raised By Wolves)
Chance Perdomo - Actor (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina)
Chris Cox - Art Director (Ordia)
Coco Jackson - Producer (Dancing On Ice)
Daniel Dewsbury - Director (The Mighty Redcar)
Gemma Langford - Writer / Indie Games Studio Manager (Overcooked 2)
Jen Kenwood - Producer (Pure)
Kayleigh Llewellyn - Writer (In My Skin)
Kirstie Swain - Writer (Pure)
Laurie Nunn - Screenwriter (Sex Education)
Lesleyann White - Principal Quality Analyst (Sunless Skies)
Liam de Valmency - Senior Principal Programmer (Dreams)
Luke Hull - Production Designer (Chernobyl)
Niamh Algar - Actor (Calm with Horses)
Oliver Kassman - Producer (Saint Maud)
Rose Glass - Director / Writer (Saint Maud)
Sarah Brocklehurst - Producer (Animals)
Simon McMahon - Film Editor (For Sama)
Stella Corradi - Director (Trigonometry)
Vicky Knight - Actor (Dirty God)