Dane DeHaan. Lupita Nyong'o. Lea Seydoux. Will Poulter. George Mackay. No, we're not talking the world's worst five-a-side team, but the five young actors who have just been announced as this year's EE BAFTA Rising Star Award nominees.
The announcement crowns a cracking year for each of the nominees. DeHaan has built on his eye-catching turn in Chronicle with a series of strong performances in the likes of **Kill Your Darlings **and The Place Beyond The Pines, while this year will see him play Harry Osborn in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Nyong'o, the only true newcomer on the list, dazzled with her debut turn in Steve McQueen's 12 Years A Slave.
Poulter's turn as Kenny in **We're The Millers **- the biggest commercial hit for any of the nominees - was a comedic highlight of the year. French actress Seydoux was simply marvellous in Blue Is The Warmest Colour, while Mackay's breakthrough year saw him bag vastly different lead roles in the likes of Dexter Fletcher's Sunshine On Leith, Kevin Macdonald's How I Live Now and Paul Wright's **For Those In Peril **(all of which were released on the same day). They're worthy nominees, all.
The award - the only BAFTA to be voted for by the British public - has seen a roll call of illustrious winners over the years, including James McAvoy, Eva Green and Tom Hardy. Last year, Juno Temple took home the distinctive blue trophy.
The quintet were selected by a jury including Mark Kermode, Gemma Arterton, Pippa Harris - Deputy Chair of BAFTA's Film Committe - and Empire's Chris Hewitt, who were charged with choosing five actors and actresses who had demonstrated exceptional talent, and who are destined to be bright stars in the future of cinema. Previous nominees and winners are not eligible for consideration.
To vote for your favourite, go to www.ee.co.uk/bafta. The winner will be announced on February 16, during the BAFTA awards ceremony.