Chiwetel Ejiofor Slated For British Independent Film Honors

It has been announced that British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor will receive the Richard Harris Award at this year’s British Independent Film Awards ceremony that will be held in London on Dec. 6.

The award named after the late Irish actor, Richard Harris was instituted to recognize actors who have contributed in an exceptional way to the landscape of British cinema.

Ejiofor is in great company – past recipients include, Ralph Fiennes, Daniel Day-Lewis, Emma Thompon, Helena Bonham-Carter and John Hurt to name a few.

Considering the British born – Nigerian actor’s immense body of work that includes first-class performances in films like the recent hitmaker The Martian, 12 Years a Slave, Kinky Boots, Melinda Melinda, Children of Men, and Love Actually – it is no wonder that Ejiofor is finally being given his due.

He first struck gold with his star-making turn in Stephen Frears Dirty Pretty Things which garnered him the BIFA best actor in 2003.

Jared Harris the son of Richard Harris released a statement expressing his full support with the decision to bestow the honor that bears his father’s name on an actor that lives up to all the necessary requirements:“I am so happy this award is going to Chiwetel. Although the recipients of this award have all been embraced by the establishment, they all came from outside it, fought their way in on the strength of their talent, claimed their place and changed the status quo. A journey which describes Chiwetel’s career perfectly. His talent is immense, it has brought him deserved worldwide recognition, and he is in his prime! I hope this award inspires British filmmakers to take advantage of him and build films around his talent.”

Ejiofor can be seen in the upcoming thriller Secret in Their Eyes with Julia Roberts and Nicole Kidman and is currently filming Marvel’s Doctor Strange, which also stars Tilda Swinton and Benedict Cumberbatch.