The city of Liverpool was one of the main characters in this year’s BAFTA TV nominations which were released yesterday.
The area’s talent has been widely recognised in the BAFTAs in previous years with Jodie Comer taking home two best actress awards for her roles in Killing Eve and Help.
This comes after Liverpool was announced as the biggest film hub outside of London. According to the Liverpool Film Office, an average of six productions use the city as their set every day.
The Liverpool-set drama This City Is Ours is nominated for the Best Drama Series award. The show’s creator Stephen Butchard told Televisual: “The city of Liverpool and the people who live and work there say it all. They are proud. I feel the same pride when I see the city portrayed on screen.” He also spoke about the positivity and can-do attitude of the city and how in many ways Liverpool is the supporting star of the show.
Councillor Harry Doyle added: “We want residents to feel proud that their neighbourhoods are part of Liverpool’s screens success – and to see real, lasting value from it.”
Also recognised in the nominations – for the single documentary award – is the Channel Four documentary One Day in Southport which follows the tragic events of last year.
But there was one category in which was Merseyside really showed up – Lead Actor, taking 4 out of 6 nominations – an award never won by a Liverpool actor.
Birkenhead-born Taron Egerton has been nominated for his role as a former firefighter in Apple TV series Smoke.
IMAGO/Steve Vas
Born and bred Liverpool talent, James Nelson-Joyce, has been recognised for his role in the BBC drama This City Is Ours as the gang leader’s right-hand man.
When asked about his connection to Liverpool he said: “That’s the beauty of Liverpool. We back our own. Between the show and the footie, there’s a real buzz around town at the minute.”
Last year the actor worked with LFC to raise funds for the families of The Southport attack.
Cristina Massei
Ellis Howard, who was recognised as a breakthrough talent at last year’s awards, has been nominated for his performance in the coming-of-age drama What It Feels Like For A Girl.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, he recognised the complexities of being from Liverpool and breaking into acting. He said: “I’m a working-class boy from Liverpool, and so I need all of the accreditation and help that I can get for people to take me and my work and my voice seriously, whether that be as a writer or as an actor.”
This was also an element that James Nelson–Joyce spoke about when he was asked to “get rid” of his Scouse accent when he was at drama school.
And finally, Stephen Graham, the Kirkby born acting powerhouse has been nominated for his performance in the award winning Netflix drama Adolescence. The actor also has a starring role in the two most nominated shows, Adolescence and A Thousand Blows – with 11 and 7 nominations respectively.
Adolescence nominations also feature North-West talent with supporting actress and supporting actor – Christine Tremarco and Owen Cooper
The future for Liverpool’s on-screen talent is looking bright with every year the city welcoming students from across the world to study drama in universities such as LIPA, LJMU and LMA.
The awards are being held at London’s Royal Festival Hall on the 10th of May.
(Featured image by Landmark Media – 3C53MHF)
