BAFTA Breakthrough | Where are they now?

We’ve seen some amazing BAFTA Breakthrough creatives over the last 12 years since the scheme was launched in the UK. 

We’ve even had the pleasure of featuring two of the 2023 cohort in The Floor Mag. Read our interviews with Adjani Salmon and Vivian Oparah after this listicle. 

What have some of your favourite recipients of BAFTA Breakthrough been up to since their appointments and where can you see them next? 

LETITIA WRIGHT (2015 Breakthrough recipient)

Recognised as a Breakthrough in 2015 following her roles in Russell T Davies series’ ‘Cucumber’ and ‘Banana’. 

Wright has since gained positive acclaim for her lead roles in Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Avengers: Infinity War, as well as Netflix’s Black Mirror for which she was nominated for an Emmy Award. 

Most recently her short film Highway to the Moon was programmed at London Film Festival and is available to watch via weTransfer. 

SUSAN WOKOMA (2017 Breakthrough recipient) 

Susan Wokoma is widely known for her comedy roles and had large breakthrough roles in E4’s ‘Crazyhead’ and Michaela Coel’s ‘Chewing Gum’. 

She has since appeared in Netflix’s Enola Holmes, its sequel and the BBC comedy ‘Cheaters’. She is also known for her work in theatre, as well as hosting The Royal Court’s podcast.  

Most recently, Wokoma’s short film Dark Skin Bruises Differently was programmed at London FIlm Festival along with several other film festivals, where it has been well received. 

PAAPA ESSIEDU (2018 Breakthrough recipient)

Paapa Essiedu was recognised as a Breakthrough in 2018 following multiple TV roles, such as ‘Kiri’. 

He then went on to star in Michaela Coel’s acclaimed series ‘I May Destroy You’, ‘Black Mirror’, ‘The Lazarus Project’ and British crime drama, ‘Gangs of London’. 

Later this year, Essiedu can be seen on stage in Arthur Miller’s All My Sons.

JOY GHARORO-AKPOJOTOR (2020 Breakthrough recipient)

A Breakthrough in 2020 for her work as producer on Blue Story, Gharoro-Akpojotor has since produced the black British film Boxing Day, drama ‘Champion’, and produced and directed the film Dreamers which programmed at London Film Festival 2025.  

Her next project will be alongside director Ashley Walters for drama, Animol. 

NICÔLE LECKY (2022 Breakthrough recipient)

Nicôle Lecky received a Breakthrough nomination for her writing, producing and acting in the drama, ‘Mood’. 

Since then she has appeared in thriller ‘Sweetpea’ alongside Ella Purnell and her second written project ‘Wild Cherry’ will be released imminently via BBC. 

She will also feature in Noah Baumbach’s upcoming film Jay Kelly.

ALEX THOMAS (2022 Breakthrough recipient)

Recognised as a Breakthrough in 2022 following success of his first documentary film Yorkshire Cop: Police Racism and Me about his dad's story, Alex has since directed Emmy nominated, ‘Erased: WW2 Heroes of Colour’. 

His most recent project, ‘Bibaa & Nicole: Murder in the Park’ has been shortlisted at the Grierson Awards.

RAINE ALLEN MILLER (2023 Breakthrough recipient)

Raine Allen Miller, also recognised as a Breakthrough in 2023 following her direction of Rye Lane, has since been nominated for 10 awards and won both the 2024 Outstanding International Film at the Black Reel Awards and 2023 International Breakthrough at the Dublin Film Critics Circle Awards. 

She can next be found directing her screenplay, The Roots Manoeuvre - with costume design by fellow Breakthrough alumnus Cobbie Yates.

VIVIAN OPARAH (2023 Breakthrough recipient) 

Gaining notoriety for her portrayal as Yas in Raine Allen Miller’s Rye Lane in 2023. Oparah won over audiences for her humorous approach to love in London and went on to be nominated for a BAFTA for her performance and win a BIFA for ‘Breakthrough Performance’. 

Oparah has since appeared in TV thrillers ‘Then You Run’ and ‘Dead Hot’. 

She will next appear in The Roots Manoeuvre, directed by her fellow BAFTA Breakthrough recipient Raine Allen-Miller.

ADJANI SALMON (2023 Breakthrough recipient) 

Adjani Salmon recently launched the second series of his BBC/A24 comedy ‘Dreaming Whilst Black’. The series follows aspiring director Kwabena, his family and friends as they navigate the working world and relationships in London. 

Salmon was the October 2025 digital cover star for The Floor Mag. You can read his full interview with journalist Nicolas-Tyrell Scott here. 

COBBIE YATES (2024 Breakthrough recipient)

Known in the costume industry, Yates received his Breakthrough appointment for his costume design work on Layla. He then went on to work on the projects ‘Queenie’ and ‘Missing You’. 

More recently he has worked across Harris Dickinson’s debut feature, Urchin and will work alongside Breakthrough recipients Vivian Oparah and Raine Allen Miller in the upcoming film, The Roots Manoeuvre. 

BAFTA Breakthrough is supported by Netflix.