The Oscar nominations are in and Blighty’s own Working Title has two horses in the race. One, Les Misérables, is out in front with eight nominations, although Anna Karenina’s four nods was hugely pleasing for the studio, too.

One disappointment, in an otherwise auspicious year, was the absence of Tom Hooper’s name from the Best Director shortlist. “It was a bit of a surprise that he didn’t get nominated”, Tim Bevan, the studio’s co-head told Empire, “but he’s in good company with Ben Affleck and Kathryn Bigelow. It’s always weird when you get multiple nominations on a movie and the director doesn’t get recognised. You think wait a second if it wasn’t for him/her, none of these others would have done their job. The live singing and the accomplishment of pulling together such a gnarly beast, to be honest.”

Consolation came in eight other categories, including Best Picture – “That’s a big deal,” Bevan said, “it’s only happened three or four times for us, so it’s fantastic" – and Best Actor for Hugh Jackman. He’s not prepared to go on record with tips, though. “I don’t think there is a frontrunner. One feels that Anne [Hathaway] may be a frontrunner for Best Supporting Actress, but maybe not. It’s all over the map.”

Find out on Oscar night, February 24, or catch Les Misérables in your local odeon from tomorrow. Click here for Empire's review.