Acclaimed actress and singer Cynthia Erivo is set to receive a prestigious honour at the upcoming London Critics' Circle Film Awards. The Derek Malcolm Award for Innovation will be presented to the Wicked star at the organisation's 46th ceremony, scheduled for 1st February 2026.
A Prestigious Honour for a Trailblazing Performer
Erivo, 38, becomes the third recipient of this special award, which celebrates innovative contributions to cinema. She follows in the footsteps of actors Colman Domingo, the 2024 winner, and Zoe Saldaña, who was honoured in 2025. The award is named in memory of the legendary film critic Derek Malcolm, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 91.
Expressing her gratitude, Erivo stated she was 'so deeply honoured' to be recognised by the London Film Critics' Circle, a group she greatly admires. She reflected on a remarkable year, highlighting the privilege of bringing the trailblazing character Elphaba to the screen in Wicked.
This accolade follows a historic awards season moment for Erivo and her co-star, Ariana Grande. The pair made Golden Globes history as the first two actors from the same film to receive consecutive nominations for their respective roles as Glinda and Elphaba.
Leading Contenders for the 2026 Ceremony
The Critics' Circle also announced its full slate of nominations, with several major films vying for top honours. Leading the pack is Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, which secured an impressive nine nominations. The thriller, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as an ex-revolutionary, is nominated for Film of the Year, with DiCaprio also up for Actor of the Year.
Hot on its heels is Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, a fictional account of William Shakespeare's grief, which earned eight nominations. Paul Mescal plays the Bard, while Jessie Buckley, nominated for Actress of the Year, portrays his wife Agnes. The film is also a contender for Film of the Year.
Other notable nominees include:
- Sinners, Ryan Coogler’s deep-South horror, with seven nominations.
- Marty Supreme, Josh Safdie’s sports comedy, with six nods.
- Sorry, Baby, the dark comedy-drama that earned five nominations for writer-director-star Eva Victor.
A Multifaceted Year for the Honouree
For Cynthia Erivo, 2025 has been a period of extraordinary output. Alongside the release of Wicked: For Good, she launched her second studio album and published a New York Times-bestselling book. Looking ahead to 2026, she is slated to make a highly-anticipated return to the West End. She will star in a one-woman production of Dracula, a formidable undertaking that requires her to portray 23 distinct characters.
Jane Crowther, Chair of the London Film Critics' Circle, praised Erivo's innovative spirit. 'We're so thrilled to give Cynthia this honour,' Crowther said, 'in recognition of her innovative work telling stories that illuminate, inspire and challenge audiences. She defies expectations across music, film and the stage.'
The ceremony promises to be a star-studded event, celebrating another vibrant year in film. With a diverse range of nominees from blockbuster hits to intimate dramas, the 46th London Critics' Circle Film Awards will highlight the very best of contemporary cinema.
