As BAFTA prepares to announce the main nominations for this year’s film event on Friday, the organisation have continued their annual tradition of revealing the five individuals competing for the EE Rising Star Award.

First up is British actor JOHN BOYEGA who can currently be seen as reclusive stormtrooper turned Resistance hero Finn in the sci-fi phenomenon Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Having made his screen debut in the BBC series Being Human, John’s first break in film came in the cult sci-fi flick Attack the Block (2011). He then went on to start in HBO’s Da Brick and the hit television series 24: Live Another Day. Given Star Wars’ dominance in the box-office, he looks certain to nab the award despite the surprise absence of co-star Daisy Ridley.

Next up is Welsh-born star TARON EGERTON who enjoyed a highly successful 2015 which began with his role as street kid turned heroic spy Gary ‘Eggsy’ Unwin in the action-comedy blockbuster Kingsman: The Secret Service. He also went on to feature in the romantic drama Testament of Youth and the crime biopic Legend. His next major role will see him star alongside Hugh Jackman in the upcoming sports comedy Eddie the Eagle plus he will also be returning for Kingsman 2 in 2017.

Third contender is the beautiful American actress DAKOTA JOHNSON, best known for her landmark role as student Anastasia Steele in last year’s erotic drama blockbuster Fifty Shades of Grey. Prior to that, she first caught the public’s eye with appearances in The Social Network (2010), 21 Jump Street (2012) and The Five Year Engagement (2012). She can next be seen alongside Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes in the drama A Bigger Splash. She is also set to return as Anastasia Steele in 2017’s Fifty Shades Darker.

Fellow American BRIE LARSON is also shortlisted following an impressive start to her career. Brie is currently being tipped to win the Best Actress Oscar for her role as a woman held in captivity with her son in the upcoming drama Room. Like Johnson, she also had a credit to her name for 21 Jump Street and has garnered appearances in Rampart (2011), Short Term 12 (2013) and The Gambler (2014). Her next major role will see her star in the fantasy adventure prequel Skull Island (2017).

Finally, the list is completed by British actress BEL POWLEY. After appearing in over 20 episodes of the CBBC series M.I.High, she continued to strengthen her screen roles in the crime drama Murderland (2009) and as Bianca Dyke in the ITV sitcom Benidorm (2014). Last year saw Bel play the young Princess Margaret in the historical comedy A Royal Night Out as well as winning acclaim for her performance as sex-obsessed teenager Minnie in the indie-dramedy Diary of a Teenage Girl.

The category is voted for by the public with the winner hoping to follow in the footsteps of previous victors like James McAvoy, Eva Green, Kristen Stewart, Tom Hardy and Jack O’Connell.