Leisa Gwenllian Named in Screen International's Stars of Tomorrow 2026
Leisa Gwenllian, hailing from Llanrug, Gwynedd, has been named one of Screen International's Stars of Tomorrow 2026, which highlights emerging talent in British and Irish film and acting. This year, the program received over 350 submissions and selected 10 actors and 10 filmmakers, joining the ranks of past honorees like Benedict Cumberbatch and Florence Pugh. Gwenllian, who described her selection as 'so unexpected' since she had forgotten about her application, stars in Effi o Blaenau, a Welsh-language film based on Gary Owen's play Iphigenia in Splott, now set in Gwynedd. She recently worked on the dark comedy Santa Maria for ITV and S4C. Screen International's Charles Gant commended her as 'a great talent discovery' with 'warmth and charisma.'
Key facts
- Leisa Gwenllian was selected for Screen International's Stars of Tomorrow 2026.
- The programme received over 350 applications and selected 10 actors and 10 filmmakers.
- Gwenllian stars in the Welsh-language film Effi o Blaenau, directed by Marc Evans.
- Effi o Blaenau is adapted from Gary Owen's play Iphigenia in Splott, relocated from Cardiff to Gwynedd.
- Previous Stars of Tomorrow honourees include Benedict Cumberbatch, Florence Pugh, Jodie Comer, and Paul Mescal.
- Gwenllian is from Llanrug, Gwynedd.
- She recently filmed the ITV and S4C series Santa Maria, set in Swansea.
- Charles Gant of Screen International called her 'a great talent discovery' with 'warmth and charisma.'
Entities
Artists
- Leisa Gwenllian
- Benedict Cumberbatch
- Florence Pugh
- Jodie Comer
- Paul Mescal
- Gary Owen
- Marc Evans
- Helen Jones
- Charles Gant
Institutions
- Screen International
- BBC
- ITV
- S4C
- Time Out
- The Guardian
Locations
- Wales
- United Kingdom
- Llanrug
- Gwynedd
- Cardiff
- Swansea
- Blaenau