Ellis Howard, the British rising actor, has been named to the prestigious Bafta Breakthrough 2025 list. Known for his leading role in BBC drama What It Feels Like for a Girl, Howard is gaining widely noted recognition due to raw and heartfelt performances. Born in Liverpool, aged 28, this talent is swiftly becoming a voice for underrepresented stories.
A series of Instagram videos about inequality and identity rounded a pivotal bend in Howard’s career, leading to the securing of both a writing agent and mentor. He explores, in What It Feels Like for a Girl, a teenager’s journey with gender identity in a working-class community near Nottingham. The series has been critically acclaimed for its authenticity and emotional depth, shining light on LGBTQ+ experiences often ignored on screen.
For Howard, being named on the Bafta Breakthrough list represents high praise and significant validation-a form of “stamp of approval.” He stresses the power of representation, calling the show a “mirror” for those who see themselves in the characters, but a “door” for others into a community that they may never have seen before. He says such storytelling is essential when it comes to dignity and inclusion.
Howard recently trained at Liverpool’s Rare Studio and Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and has also appeared in the BBC horror series Red Rose and made his West End debut in To Kill a Mockingbird. Bafta Breakthrough is supported by Netflix and showcases emerging talent primed for a breakthrough in film, TV and gaming.
Howard tells young creatives not to wait for permission but to create work that matters to them. His own journey from social media to the spotlight serves as a testament to how authentic storytelling can redefine career paths and reshape industry narratives.
