13 Unexpected Actors Who Might Win Oscars In 2020
9. Honor Swinton-Byrne (Best Actress - The Souvenir)
The Role: Julie, a young film student who becomes romantically involved with a suave but duplicitous man (Tom Burke).
The new drama from director Joanna Hogg (Archipelago) premiered at Sundance to rave reviews, with many critics foregrounding the lead performance of Honor Swinton-Byrne (daughter of Tilda, who also stars in the film as her mother).
Some reviews went as far as to call Swinton-Byrne's performance one of the most startling debuts of recent years, and though the film as a whole could prove a touch too art-house for the Academy, they sure do love showering praise on out-of-nowhere rising talents.
It would certainly be a surprise victory in a category likely to be dominated by numerous heavyweight actresses, but on the strength of the initial reviews, it sounds like Swinton-Byrne is a singular, awards-worthy talent in her own right.