David Jonsson "didn't see a space for himself" in the industry before he won the BAFTA EE Rising Star Award
The 31-year-old actor took home the publicly-voted accolade after beating off competition from Marisa Abela, Jharrel Jerome, Mikey Madison, and Nabhaan Rizwan and admitted that admitted that getting such an award was never his motivation to succeed
19 February 2025
Speaking live on stage at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday (16.02.25), he said: "Thank you God, thank you to my team. Thank you to the directors who have taken a chance on me.
"Thanks to my family and my loved ones, you know who you are
"I've got to be honest, this isn't why I do it. I'm just an East London boy who didn't really see a space for me in this industry. "
David claimed that continuing to "tell stories" will be the answer to helping people from all backgrounds succeeded within the industry.
He said: "But this award is about the people and as long as we keep telling stories about people, I think there will be a space for me, and you, and you and you and everyone watching at home.
The award came after David's star turn in 'Alien: Romulus' - which follows two siblings as they as they join forces with a group of fellow young space colonists - and dedicated his award to "the people" who just want to try something a little bit unorthodox in life.
He added: "I'd like to dedicate this to the people, the dreamers, the grafters, and the people who are just trying to do it a little bit different. Star, I don't know, but rising? I guess..."
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