Irish actor Éanna Hardwicke has been presented with a European Shooting Star Award at the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) – one of ten actors chosen as the most promising up-and-coming European talents this year.
The actor, known for his roles in the TV series Smother and Normal People, follows in the footsteps of Irish actors Ruth Negga, Domhnall Gleeson and Andrew Scott, all previous recipients of the honour.
Speaking about receiving the award, Hardwicke said: “It’s a real honour to represent Ireland at the European Shooting Stars.
“On top of that – it’s inspiring to be alongside these hugely talented actors, from whom I’ve already learnt so much.
“Irish film is in a great place and I’m proud to call myself a part of this industry.”
In selecting Hardwicke for the accolade last December, the jury (European Film Promotion) said: “Immediately after graduating from The Lír Academy in Dublin, Irish actor Éanna Hardwicke plunged into the film world and starred alongside Jesse Eisenberg in the feature film Vivarium; with Seána Kerslake and Ayoola Smart in the TV series Smother; and with Isabel Huppert in Laurent Lariviere’s feature film Joan Verra.
“For his role as a Gaelic footballer in the nominated film Lakelands directed by Robert Higgins and Patrick McGivney, the jury recognises Éanna’s ‘star quality’ and lauds his performance, which is ‘nothing short of gripping, skilfully revealing layers of sensitivity beneath a seemingly tough exterior’.”
Last year, Hardwicke received acclaim for his performance in the BBC true crime miniseries The Sixth Commandment.
He will next be seen in the Amazon Studios miniseries A Very Royal Scandal, a three-part series documenting Emily Maitlis’ journey leading up to her much-publicised 2019 BBC television interview of Prince Andrew on Newsnight.
The other nine recipients of the Shooting Star award are: Thibaud Dooms (Belgium), Margarita Stoykova (Bulgaria), Suzy Bemba (France), Salome Demuria (Georgia), Katharina Stark (Germany), Valentina Bellè (Italy), Džiugas Grinys (Lithuania), Kamila Urzędowska (Poland) and Asta Kamma August (Sweden).
