BAFTA Award winning actress Rakie Ayola, multi-award winning actor Matthew Rhys, and TV presenters Ant & Dec lead the stars presenting awards at this Sunday’s 30th British Academy Cymru Awards.
Returning as host of the Awards is TV presenter Alex Jones, who said:
“The Welsh Valleys are becoming more like the Hollywood Hills these days, with international actors like Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tom Hardy and Dame Judi Dench living and working here alongside Welsh talent like Michael Sheen, Luke Evans and Russell T Davies. Despite the setbacks of Covid, Welsh crews have risen to the challenge and made some of the world’s best TV in a very difficult year. Good luck to all the nominees!”
In addition to Rakie Ayola (Anthony), Matthew Rhys (Perry Mason, The Americans), and Ant & Dec (I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!, Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway), also presenting are Behnaz Akhgar (BBC Wales Today weather presenter and news broadcaster), Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù (Gangs of London, Humans, His House), Heledd Gwynn (The Pact), Myha’la Herrold (Industry), Emilia Jones (Locke and Key, CODA, Nuclear), David Jonsson (Industry), Eiry Thomas (The Pact), Amir Wilson (His Dark Materials), and Siôn Daniel Young (The Left Behind, Deceit).
Acclaimed Welsh actress Rakie Ayola, who earlier this year won the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Gee Walker in the BBC One drama, Anthony, commented: ‘What I love about this year’s nominations is not only is the standard very high, which it always is, but these are shows that are being watched internationally.’
She continued: “TV in Wales is amazing right now. No one can get enough of Wales, it’s great. And the work is exemplary.”
Amir Wilson, who is currently filming series three of His Dark Materials in Wales, said: “There’s a lot going on in Wales, and a lot of great TV and films coming out of here at the moment. Sex Education, Gangs of London, His Dark Materials. A bunch of good stuff.”
TV presenter Alex Jones returns as host for the digital ceremony on Sunday 24 October, 19.00 GMT across BAFTA’s social channels.
