Cynthia Erivo is set to be honoured with the Derek Malcolm Award for Innovation at the 46th London Critics' Circle Film Awards on 1st February 2026. The 38-year-old Wicked star becomes the third recipient of the award, following Colman Domingo (2024) and Zoe Saldaña (2025).
The award, named after the late critic Derek Malcolm who died in 2023 aged 91, recognises innovative work across film, music and stage. Erivo said: 'I am so deeply honoured. To be recognised in this capacity by the London Film Critics' Circle, a group I greatly admire and one who has championed me throughout my career.'
Erivo's latest accolade comes after she and Wicked co-star Ariana Grande made Golden Globes history as the first two actors from the same film to be consecutively nominated for their respective roles as Elphaba and Glinda. The three-time Oscar nominee has had a busy 2025, with the release of sequel Wicked: For Good, her second studio album, and a New York Times-bestselling book. Next year she will return to the West End in a one-woman production of Dracula, playing 23 characters.
Jane Crowther, Chair of the London Film Critics' Circle, said: 'We're so thrilled to give Cynthia this honour in recognition of her innovative work telling stories that illuminate, inspire and challenge audiences. She defies expectations across music, film and the stage.'
Meanwhile, Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another leads the nominations with nine nods, including Film of the Year. Chloé Zhao's Hamnet follows with eight nominations, while Ryan Coogler's Sinners received seven. The awards ceremony will take place in London on 1st February.
