Welcome to this special episode of Queerly’s Stage and Screen Podcast, where we celebrate the incredible talents of the BAFTA Breakthrough 2025 cohort.
Supported by Netflix, BAFTA Breakthrough is a prestigious initiative dedicated to accelerating the careers of outstanding creatives across film, television, and games. This episode features in-depth conversations with four remarkable artists shaping the future of storytelling.
Ellis Howard
An actor and writer from Liverpool, Ellis trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He gained critical acclaim for his magnetic lead role as Byron in the BBC’s What It Feels Like For A Girl, a powerful series exploring identity and self-discovery in the early 2000s UK club scene. Ellis has also appeared in the BBC horror series Red Rose and made his West End debut in Aaron Sorkin’s To Kill a Mockingbird.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellisfrancishoward/
Jodie-Simone Howe
A London-based costume designer with over a decade of experience, Jodie-Simone has worked on award-winning projects such as Mr Loverman and the Amazon Prime series starring Riz Ahmed. She is the founding director of The Black Costume Network, a community dedicated to diversifying the costume industry in the UK and beyond. Jodie-Simone’s work spans television, film, music videos, and dance theatre.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acostumequeen/
Nathaniel Price
Nathaniel is a writer and producer known for his emotionally engaging and ethically crafted storytelling. His acclaimed adaptation of Bernardine Evaristo’s Mr Loverman aired on BBC One in 2024. Nathaniel has contributed to popular series including Noughts & Crosses and The Outlaws, and continues to develop original and adapted television dramas.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanielprice_/
Stanley Baxton
A narrative game developer, Stanley creates satirical, horrifying, and queer games that push boundaries. His award-winning work includes titles recognized with the Golden Banana of Discord and the New Media Writing Prize. Stanley’s games are designed for a niche audience, blending experimental storytelling with sharp social commentary.
About BAFTA Breakthrough
BAFTA Breakthrough, supported by Netflix, is BAFTA’s flagship talent development programme, now in its twelfth year. It identifies and supports exceptional emerging creatives in film, television, and games who are on the cusp of major career breakthroughs. The initiative offers mentorship, industry connections, and career development opportunities to help shape the next generation of creative leaders. Alumni include notable stars such as Florence Pugh, Tom Holland, and Letitia Wright.
Tune in to hear these inspiring artists share their journeys, creative processes, and insights into the industry. To explore the full BAFTA Breakthrough 2025 cohort, visit thisisqueerly.com.
For more from Queerly Radio, visit thisisqueerly.com and don’t forget to tune into Queerly LIVE with Harvey Morton, every Sunday morning from 8am to 10am on Queerly Radio. Tune in at queerly.radio or just ask your smart speaker to “play Queerly Radio”.