In the ’90s, there was the Merchant Ivory wave, transporting Grant, Bonham Carter and Rupert Graves to stardom. Richard Curtis dominated the turn of the century, pinching the best of the Ivory set for Notting Hill and Love Actually, and propelling Keira Knightley into the stratosphere alongside Emma Thompson. Each of them British and a little bit bumbling.
Now, thanks to a recent run of hit television directors selecting young Brits for leading roles, there’s a renaissance. Only, today’s set is sleeker and more glamorous than ever. Knightley once said she wished she had gone to drama school – none of those ’90s stars did. But for this new crop, it’s all about serious Rada credentials… and dating each other.
Industry is a British star factory, telling the classic tale of old Etonians turned analysts faced with 100-hour working weeks and a lot of drugs. Now, breakout star Marisa Abela has swapped the trading floor for the streets of Camden, playing Amy Winehouse in an upcoming biopic.
Then there’s Showtrial. When fiery student and heiress Talitha Campbell is accused of murder, a media storm ensues. Is she guilty or a victim of her past? It’s all to play for in this tale of privilege and deception – though if anyone wins, it’s Bafta-nominated lead Céline Buckens.
Bridgerton, too, is sending forth young Brits into prodigious careers. With season three on the way and the release of its prequel, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, on the horizon, it keeps breaking its own streaming records. New out of the franchise – and set to soar – comes Louis Cunningham.
