BFI welcomes Joanna Scanlan as new Ambassador

We’re delighted to announce that BAFTA winning actor and writer Joanna Scanlan will take on a new role as BFI Ambassador, working with the BFI on its mission to build a rich and diverse UK screen culture that benefits all of society.  

One of the UK’s most successful and best-loved actors working across film and television today, Joanna’s credits include Slow Horses, Riot Women, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, The Thick of It and Wicked Little Letters, as well as the upcoming Anxious People, alongside Angelina Jolie and Jason Segel. Joanna has also starred in several films supported by the BFI awarding National Lottery funding, including After Love, directed by Aleem Khan, which earned her a BAFTA for Leading Actress and a BIFA for Best Actress; Deborah Haywood’s Pin Cushion; and the forthcoming feature The Arrival, from writer-director Bijan Sheibani, in which Joanna stars alongside Kingsley Ben-Adir and Archie Madekwe. 

Joanna is raising awareness of the BFI’s work as the National Lottery distributor for film, and the vital impact it is having on people and communities all over the UK. The Government recently launched a public Call for Evidence as part of a review of National Lottery Good Cause funding which is open until midday on Wednesday 23 September 2026: Fund What Matters To You.

In a series of exclusive interviews, Joanna discusses the impact of BFI National Lottery funded film Pride with actress Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer), who portrayed real-life Labour MP Siân James in the 2014 film. They also discuss the impact of the BFI National Lottery funded Escapes programme which provides free tickets for new films at local independent cinemas across the UK each month, and recently screened Jessica’s latest feature film, Sunny Dancer, in which she starred alongside Bella Ramsay.

Joanna also talks to BFI Fellow Olivia Colman about the impact of National Lottery funded Tyrannosaur, written and directed by Paddy Considine and starring Olivia in a break-out role that had a huge impact in raising awareness of domestic abuse. They also discuss Olivia’s Oscar and BAFTA-winning performance as Queen Anne in Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Favourite, supported by National Lottery Good Cause funding during the film’s 20 year development process, her upcoming feature Elsinore, which is opening the BFI London Film Festival on October 7th, and how vital the cinema experience is in bringing people together.

Joanna also visited the Storyhouse Cinema in Chester, formerly the Chester Odeon which Joanna attended in her youth and first experienced watching films such as The Sound of Music on the big screen. Storyhouse now hosts regular monthly screenings for local charities and voluntary organisations, supported by BFI National Lottery funding, and Joanna met with staff and cinemagoers to hear firsthand about the local impact of this funding.

BFI Ambassador Joanna Scanlan said: “My cinematic lifelong affair — and my enduring devotion to the BFI — began at aged four under the spell of The Sound of Music at the Chester Odeon (now that architectural gem, the Storyhouse Cinema). By my teens, the newly opened Theatr Clwyd in Mold was introducing me to BFI-supported masterpieces, widening my world and setting a standard for storytelling that I’ve championed ever since.

“I firmly believe society is immeasurably richer when a vibrant film culture thrives, ensuring audiences across the UK can share in its magic while our brilliant homegrown filmmakers continue to bring their visions to life. That is precisely why the BFI’s stewardship of National Lottery funding isn’t just a lifeline for cinema—it’s the heartbeat of our cultural imagination.” 

Ben Roberts, CEO of the BFI, said: “Joanna Scanlan is a screen icon, watched and loved by millions of people who enjoy her extraordinary talents as a film and television actor. Behind the scenes, Joanna is a passionate advocate for film culture, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the BFI as an Ambassador in our shared mission to bring great film experiences to people all over the UK.” 

BAFTA award-winning actress and writer Joanna Scanlan is one of Britain’s most distinctive and versatile talents. Her career encompasses some of the UK’s most acclaimed screen and stage productions, alongside a celebrated body of work as a writer and performer. She won the BAFTA for Leading Actress and the BIFA for Best Actress for her powerful performance as Mary Hussain in Aleem Khan’s After Love. 

Her recent screen work includes Sally Wainwright’s BBC drama Riot Women, in which she starred as Beth, and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. She can currently be seen returning to series six of Apple TV+’s Slow Horses. 

Forthcoming projects include ITV’s five-part drama The Party, adapted from Elizabeth Day’s novel and starring Luke Evans and Tom Cullen; Marc Forster’s feature Anxious People, alongside Angelina Jolie, Aimee Lou Wood and Jason Segel; and The Arrival, Bijan Sheibani’s feature directorial debut, starring Kingsley Ben-Adir and Archie Madekwe. 

Joanna’s extensive film credits include Wicked Little Letters, Joy, The Invisible Woman, How To Talk To Girls At Parties, The Testament of Youth, In the Loop, The Other Boleyn Girl, Stardust, Notes on a Scandal, The Girl with a Pearl Earring and Kinky Boots. 

On television, she is particularly known for The Thick of It, No Offence, Getting On, which she co-created and co-wrote with Jo Brand and Vicki Pepperdine, and Puppy Love, which she co-created and co-wrote with Pepperdine. Her work on Getting On earned BAFTA nominations for both performance and writing. 

Her theatre work includes Thea Sharrock’s acclaimed 2007 Almeida Theatre production of Caryl Churchill’s Cloud Nine, in which she played Maud/Victoria, as well as performances at the National Theatre, Royal Court and Donmar Warehouse. 

Joanna also has a longstanding connection with the David Lean Cinema in Croydon, supporting its programme and championing independent and repertory cinema. 

Have your say on the future of National Lottery Good Cause funding by participating in the public consultation, open until midday 23 September 2026.