British-Nigerian actress Wunmi Mosaku has made history as the first black British winner in the Supporting Actress category at the BAFTA Film Awards.
The 39-year-old, born in Zaria and raised in Manchester, won the accolade for her portrayal of the Hoodoo priestess Annie in Sinners. Currently pregnant, Mosaku expressed her excitement and reflected on the personal connection she felt to the character.
“I found a part of myself in Annie, a part of my hopes, my ancestral power and connection, parts I thought I had lost or tried to dim as an immigrant trying to fit in. It always feels good when you feel like your story and your experience is being represented with integrity and creativity,” she said.
Mosaku also stressed the significance of recognition and representation for black women in film, describing her reaction to the victory as one of genuine shock.
“The response of black women feeling seen, loved, valued, treasured, and the power of our ancestry and the spirituality… seeing that response made me realise how lonely I felt, and suddenly these women were in my life who I’d never met. I was really shocked; I lost my breath and couldn’t quite believe it,” she added.
The award highlights Mosaku’s rising prominence on the international stage and underscores the importance of authentic representation in storytelling.
