Samantha Morton honored at the British Independent Film Awards

Samantha Morton will receive an honor for her outstanding contribution at this year’s British Independent Film Awards (Bifa).

The actress, who recently starred in The Serpent Queen and is also known for Minority Report and Harlots, is the 2022 recipient of the Richard Harris Award.

Riz Ahmed, Dame Judi Dench, Sir Daniel Day-Lewis, Helena Bonham Carter, Sir John Hurt, Dame Emma Thompson and Jim Broadbent are all previous recipients of the award.

He was named after Irish actor Richard Harris, who played Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films before Michael Gambon took over the role when Harris died in 2002 at the age of 72. year.

Morton has been nominated for an Oscar twice – for the 1999 film Sweet And Lowdown and 2003’s In America.

The 45-year-old, whose recent film work includes Save The Cinema, She Said and The Whale, said she was “moved beyond words” after receiving the Richard Harris Award and that it means “the world ” for her.

She added: “Indie cinema is my real home, the reason for my art, and Richard Harris was my first teacher.

“It is a great privilege to join such an esteemed group of past winners, each of them champions of the British screen, and to be able to continue to shine a light on the immense wealth and diversity of talented filmmakers and artists. that we have on these islands.

Morton began acting in Nottingham’s Central Junior Television Workshop aged 13 before landing a role in Soldier Soldier in 1991.

She then starred in the 1996 period dramas Emma Emma and Jane Eyre in 1997, and earned her first Bifa nomination – best actress – for Under The Skin in 1998 before being nominated eight more times.

In 2002, she won the Bifa for best actress for the psychological drama Morvern Callar.

Damian, Jared and Jamie Harris, sons of the late actor who were perhaps best known for 1967’s Camelot, said: ‘Morton seemed to be coming like a meteor – his performances in Under The Skin, Sweet And Lowdown, Jesus’ Son and Morvern Callar has not only affected British cinema.

“After working with Samantha on This Is The Sea, Richard was as impressed with her work as I had ever seen. He told me ‘If you ever have the opportunity to work with her, take it’. She’s the real effing’ deal.

Morton also directed and co-wrote the TV drama The Unloved, based on his direct experience of the UK healthcare system, which won Best Drama at the Baftas in 2010.

She is currently filming the lead role in the new TV drama The Burning Girls, based on CJ Tudor’s thriller novel.

– The Bifa 2022 ceremony will take place at Old Billingsgate in the City of London on December 4, marking the 25th anniversary of the awards.