English actress and director Samantha Morton is to be awarded the Bafta Fellowship for “her exceptional body of work” that champions “under-represented stories”.
Morton, who most recently starred in TV series The Serpent Queen and The Burning Girls, said she was “profoundly humbled” by the award, which is the arts charity’s highest accolade.
The 46-year-old said: “As a proud Bafta member, I am honoured, profoundly humbled and grateful to Bafta for giving me this award.”
We’re thrilled to announce that award-winning actor and director Samantha Morton will be presented with the BAFTA Fellowship at the upcoming #EEBAFTAs✨
Samantha’s work has spanned across three decades, and has championed the portrayal of complex and underrepresented stories. pic.twitter.com/P6G76QRF8Q
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 7, 2024
Anna Higgs, chairwoman of Bafta’s Film Committee, said: “Samantha Morton is a mesmerising storyteller with incredible range.
“She has made an extraordinary impact on the British film industry – consistently shining a light on complex characters and championing under-represented stories.
“On and off screen, she always works to break down societal barriers and change the make-up of the screen industries for the better – often against great odds.
“Samantha is hugely respected by her peers in Britain and Hollywood alike for her versatility, talent and passion for the craft of acting, and we are delighted to be honouring her exceptional body of work at the EE Bafta Film Awards next week.”
The Nottingham-born actress garnered international acclaim in 1997 for her performance in Carine Adler’s indie film Under The Skin, earning her the Boston Society Of Film Critics award for best actress.
Morton has also received a best supporting actress Golden Globe for her portrayal of notorious child-murderer Myra Hindley in TV movie Longford (2006) and was Oscar-nominated for her role in Woody Allen’s Sweet And Lowdown (1999).
In 2010 she won a TV Bafta with her directorial debut, television movie The Unloved, and has also appeared in film and TV series including TV movie Jane Eyre (1997), action film Minority Report (2002) and comedy drama Synecdoche, New York (2008).
Previous recipients of the Bafta Fellowship award include Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg and Dame Helen Mirren.
The Bafta Fellowship will be presented at the 2024 Bafta Film Awards, which will be hosted by Doctor Who star David Tennant at the Royal Festival Hall in London’s Southbank Centre on February 18.
It will be broadcast in the UK on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.