Horsham games designer is one of BAFTA’s Brits to Watch

Catherine Woolley, 28, has worked on a number of popular games, including the final two titles in the Harry Potter game series and Alien: Isolation.

She has twice been named in MCV magazine’s ‘Top 100 Women in Games’ initiative and is now a Senior Designer at Creative Assembly.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) announced the 18 talented newcomers selected by members of the film, television and games industries as the 2015 BAFTA Breakthrough Brits, in partnership with Burberry.

The honourees were revealed on Tuesday evening at a reception at the global Burberry flagship, 121 Regent Street.

Catherine Woolley, 28, grew up in Chelmsford, Essex but now lives in Horsham.

She said: “I think it’s amazing that I’ve been picked as a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit, I never would have expected to get this far when there’s so much competition. I look forward to the support programme to further my skills and knowledge as a designer. All I now know is I have to be even better than ever to prove I’m worthy of the title. And here’s to hoping for an exciting career following on from my current experience.”

The Breakthrough Brits were chosen by a jury of industry experts after a UK-wide open call for applications and nominations.

At the reception, hosted by BBC Radio 1 presenter Greg James, actors Julie Walters, Jessica Hynes, James Norton, Noel Clarke and Alice Eve introduced the successful honourees.

Previous Breakthrough Brits have gone on to be recognised at BAFTA’s awards ceremonies, including four BAFTA winners: games producer Daniel Gray and game designer Rex Crowle (as part of the development teams for Monument Valley and Tearaway respectively), screenwriter Dominic Mitchell (In The Flesh), and producer Marc Williamson (The Last Chance School). Actor Tom Holland, a Breakthrough Brit in 2014, has since been named the new Spider-Man in the film franchise.

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