“On the Basis of Sex” doesn’t hit theaters until December 25, but Felicity Jones is already earning awards buzz for her performance in the Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic. The “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” star may find herself scoring nominations in coming months. She’s already guaranteed one honor, though: she’s set to receive the Variety Award at the British Independent Film Awards, Variety confirms.
Given in recognition of an actor, director, writer, or producer who has made “a global impact and pointed the international spotlight on the U.K.,” the award’s previous recipients include Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet, and Keira Knightley.
“When actress Felicity Jones first appeared on your radar, you probably knew she was destined for greatness but you probably didn’t know she would impact so forcefully on all sizes of screens in all kinds of projects,” said Steven Gaydos, Variety’s vice president and executive editor. “She has infused the ‘Star Wars’ juggernaut with feminine soul as well as womanly grit, and she brought gravity and tenderness to the Oscar-winning ‘Theory of Everything.’ Now she plays a brave woman whose life and achievements loom larger every day. ‘On the Basis of Sex’ is a rallying cry for women’s rights in a time of political crisis, but in the hands of Felicity Jones, Ruth Bader Ginsburg becomes a woman we don’t simply admire, but we come to deeply understand her drives and relish the soul that sustains her commitment to justice and equality.”
Jones stated, “It’s an incredible honor to receive this award and, in doing so, to join such an illustrious and inspiring group of filmmakers and actors. To support the British film industry on the global stage is a huge privilege and something I feel very proud and lucky to be a part of.”
“It was incredible when we were shooting the film; it was chiming with everything that was happening in the #MeToo movement,” Jones has said of making “On the Basis of Sex.” “And what we were finding, with the current revolution that we’re in, is that the momentous things happening are, in many ways, things that Ruth had been arguing for years and years and years.”
The Time’s Up advocate received an Oscar nomination for her role in “The Theory of Everything.” “A Monster Calls” and “Like Crazy” are among her other credits.
The British Independent Film Awards will take place December 2. “The Favourite” is nominated in 13 categories. Starring Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz, the period pic tells the story of an unstable queen and those vying to influence her. The film opens in theaters November 23.
