Jacob Elordi, the Aussie heartthrob who swept us off our feet with his brooding charm in 'The Kissing Booth', Jenna Ortega, the sassy starlet of Netflix's 'Wednesday', and Stephen Fry, the witty wordsmith behind some of Britain's most iconic film moments - these are just a few of the A-list names that have been welcomed into the exclusive club of Academy voters this year.
Among 529 fresh faces invited to join the elite ranks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, these household names bring a much-needed injection of new blood and perspectives to the organisation behind the Oscars. According to Bill Kramer, CEO, and Lynette Howell Taylor, Academy president, their contributions to the global film industry are 'significant', with their dedication to filmmaking a driving force in shaping the world of cinema.
Stephen Fry, the veteran British personality, is a natural fit for the Academy's ranks. With an enviable career spanning decades, he's left his mark on Hollywood with iconic roles in 'Gosford Park' and 'V for Vendetta', not to mention hosting the BAFTAs 12 times over - no mean feat! His Golden Globe nomination for 'Wilde' is just one testament to his enduring talent. Meanwhile, Josh O'Connor, known for his dashing performances in Netflix's 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' and Steven Spielberg's 'Disclosure Day', joins Fry as a representative of British talent.
Other notable invitees include Teyana Taylor, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress this year, and Mia Goth, Elordi's co-star in the recent 'Frankenstein'. The list also features Jon Bernthal, who's been making waves on Broadway and is set to star in upcoming summer releases. If all invitations are accepted, the Academy's total membership will swell to 11,319, with voting members rising to 10,338 - an impressive shift towards a more diverse and inclusive organisation.
The announcement comes hot on the heels of recent rule changes by the Academy, including a ban on AI-generated content in acting and writing categories from 2027 onwards. Performers are also now free to receive multiple nominations in the same category, a move that could finally give exceptional talent its due recognition across various projects.
For UK fans, it's a great excuse to catch up with some of these new Academy members' work - Jacob Elordi's films often stream on Prime Video, while Jenna Ortega's hit series 'Wednesday' is readily available on Netflix. Meanwhile, Stephen Fry's extensive back catalogue can be found across various UK streaming services, including BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, Netflix, and Prime Video.