Screen International’s 2026 UK & Ireland Stars of Tomorrow photographed at central London venue
BMA House is continuing to build its profile as a location for film, television and photography after hosting the portrait shoot for Screen International’s 2026 UK & Ireland Stars of Tomorrow.
The shoot took place after the opportunity was introduced to BMA House by Film London. Members of this year’s cohort were photographed across a selection of the venue’s historic interiors and outdoor spaces, demonstrating the variety of backdrops available within the Grade II listed Sir Edwin Lutyens building.
Now in its 23rd year, Screen International’s annual Stars of Tomorrow initiative identifies emerging actors and filmmakers from across the UK and Ireland. Its previous selections have included Benedict Cumberbatch, Emily Blunt, Riz Ahmed, Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, Tom Hiddleston, Florence Pugh, Jodie Comer, Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley and Owen Cooper.
The 2026 cohort comprises ten actors and ten filmmakers. Among those selected are Bo Bragason, who will take the title role in the forthcoming film adaptation of The Legend of Zelda; Isla Johnston, who is set to play Joan of Arc in Baz Luhrmann’s forthcoming biopic; and Cal O’Driscoll, who has a role in the upcoming Peaky Blinders sequel series.
Miles Eady – Head of Venue at BMA House said: “Hosting Screen International’s Stars of Tomorrow was a wonderful opportunity for BMA House. These are some of the actors and filmmakers we will be hearing much more about over the coming years, so it was exciting to welcome them at such an important point in their careers.
“The finished portraits also allow us to see familiar spaces through a completely different creative lens. One of the strengths of BMA House is the number of distinctive settings a production can find within a single location. A photographer or location manager can move between grand architectural spaces, more intimate rooms and enclosed outdoor areas without relocating the entire production.
“We are particularly grateful to Film London for introducing the opportunity. Our relationship with the team continues to help us understand the needs of the screen industries, develop our offer and connect with productions looking for something distinctive in central London.”
Helena Mackenzie – Head of Talent and Business Development at Film London, said: “Connecting productions with film-friendly London locations is an important part of our work, and BMA House offers a particularly strong combination of visual character, versatility and practical support.
“We were delighted to introduce the Screen International team to BMA House. The resulting images demonstrate how successfully its different spaces can be reinterpreted, while the venue team’s understanding of production requirements helps make ambitious creative ideas possible.”
The shoot provides further evidence of BMA House’s growing appeal to the film and television industries. Its combination of heritage architecture and production-ready facilities allows the building to represent settings including embassies, government buildings, healthcare environments and private residences.
The Great Hall offers 28-foot ceilings, Corinthian columns and gold-leaf detailing, while the Prince’s Room provides a more intimate period setting. The Garden Room is filled with natural light and connects directly to the venue’s botanical Garden, while the enclosed Courtyard provides a controllable exterior location framed by the building’s distinctive architecture.
Alongside the spaces appearing on camera, BMA House can provide additional rooms for production offices, holding areas, costume, hair and make-up, equipment storage and crew catering. Goods lifts, three-phase power and the option to hire individual spaces or larger areas of the building help productions manage the practical demands of a shoot.
Charles Gant, curator of Screen Stars Of Tomorrow UK and Ireland at Screen International said: “Stars of Tomorrow is about recognising distinctive emerging talent and presenting each member of the cohort in a way that reflects their individuality and potential.
“BMA House gave the photography team access to a wide range of characterful settings within one location, allowing us to create a varied collection of portraits while keeping a busy shoot moving efficiently. The team understood what we needed and provided excellent support throughout the day.”
BMA House has previously hosted productions including ITV’s Red Eye, Netflix’s The Diplomat and Bridgerton, and Apple TV+’s Slow Horses. It is also part of Film London’s Premiere Locations initiative, which connects productions with distinctive, experienced and film-friendly locations across the capital.
The complete Screen International 2026 UK & Ireland Stars of Tomorrow feature and individual profiles can be viewed at: https://www.screendaily.com/
Further information on the BMA House film and photoshoot offering is available at: https://bmahouse.org.uk/
