The actress called both ‘strong mentors and friends’ as she discussed being chosen to help pick the shortlist for the next Bafta EE Rising Star Award

They say you have no friends in showbusiness, but Hayley Atwell can count at least two — Dame Emma Thompson and Stanley Tucci.

The Agent Carter actress, 40, starred with Dame Emma, 63, in 2008’s Brideshead Revisited and Tucci, 61, in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger and says they remain “strong mentors and friends”.

On Brideshead Revisited, Dame Emma even put her own job on the line when she defended Atwell from a body shaming producer who suggested she should lose weight.

It has since been reported the person in question was disgraced movie executive Harvey Weinstein.

Opening up about her special relationships, Atwell told the Standard: “Emma Thompson and Stanley Tucci remain strong mentors and friends to me. I trust them with my doubts and concerns.

“I’d say their intelligence, humour and generosity have an ongoing impact on my view of the business and how I can navigate it in a courageous and simple way.”

Her remarks came as she was tasked with joining a panel with Joe Cole, Jason Flemyng and other industry experts to select the EE Rising Star Award shortlist for the 2023 EE Bafta Film Awards.

Now in its 18th year, it celebrates new and up-and-coming talent within the film industry and is the only Bafta Film Awards category to be voted for by the British public.

Past winners includes James McAvoy, Eva Green, Juno Temple, Tom Hardy, Kristen Stewart, Jack O’Connell, Will Poulter, John Boyega, Tom Holland, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Micheal Ward, Bukky Bakray and last year’s winner Lashana Lynch.

Atwell said she felt both “honoured and delighted” to be involved, adding: “Supporting growing talent feels like a useful way of giving back.”

Asked what she would be looking for in potential nominees, she replied: “Distinctive creative choices that show a potential to significantly contribute to the health of our industry and its evolution.”

It has been a tough couple of years for the film industry following the global Covid-19 pandemic, but Atwell feels that things are on the up.

“It really feels like the film industry is going from strength to strength,” she explained.

“It’s a resilient industry because it centres on storytelling and innovative ways to connect with our society. Cinema is not only going to survive, it’s going to thrive. I firmly believe that.”

The EE Rising Star Award shortlist will be announced in January, after which the public will be able to have their say by voting online at ee.co.uk/Bafta.

The winner will be revealed at the ceremony on February 19 at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall. [Source]