Empire’s British New Wave Covers Revealed – Starring Riz Ahmed, Emerald Fennell, Kingsley Ben-Adir and Bukky Bakray

Empire – July 2021 covers – British New Wave issue

by Ben Travis |
Updated on

British filmmakers and actors have always been a pioneering force, an array of distinctive voices and game-changing artists. But in 2021, as evidenced by awards season, they’re a more exciting global force than ever – a fresh crop of homegrown talents who’ve come to dominate the world of film (and TV!) with bold, original, thrilling movies and scene-stealing performances. The new issue of Empire – on sale Thursday 10 June and available to pre-order online now – is a massive celebration of The British New Wave, showcasing 26 incredible directors, writers and actors driving cinema into a new era.

Across four collectible covers you’ll find some of the most electrifying figures in the film industry right now – first up, the incredible multi-talented Oscar-nominee Riz Ahmed, shot by Shayan Asgharnia.

Empire – July 2021 cover – Riz Ahmed

Pre-order the Riz Ahmed cover online now here.

Second, it’s the actor, director and Oscar-winning writer Emerald Fennell, shot by Rosaline Shahnavaz.

Empire – July 2021 cover – Emerald Fennell

Pre-order the Emerald Fennell cover online now here.

Third, it’s the BAFTA-nominated Kingsley Ben-Adir, an actor inhabiting icons while forging his own legacy, shot by Rosaline Shahnavaz.

Empire – July 2021 cover – Kingsley Ben-Adir

Pre-order the Kingsley Ben-Adir cover online now here.

And finally we have BAFTA-winning actor behind the astonishing central performance in Rocks, Bukky Bakray, shot by Rosaline Shahnavaz.

Empire – July 2021 cover – Bukky Bakray

Pre-order the Bukky Bakray cover online now here.

Inside, there’s plenty more – featuring major new interviews and exclusive new photo shoots with stars like Gemma Chan, Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù, Morfydd Clark, Olly Alexander, Jessica Yu Li Henwick, Henry Golding, Weruche Opia, and Olivia Cooke, and writers and directors including Rose Glass, Rob Savage, Remi Weekes, Kate Herron, Francis Lee, Krysty Wilson-Cairns and Prano Bailey-Bond. It’s an epic line-up of astonishing talents, all occupying their own space and lending their distinct perspectives to a film and TV landscape that’s never been more exciting.

This month’s exclusive subscriber cover is designed by Mike Cathro, capturing the spirit, energy, and vibrancy of the British New Wave in film.

Empire – July 2021 subscriber cover

Stay tuned for more soon from Empire’s British New Wave issue, and look out for the four collectible covers coming to newsstands on Thursday 10 June. Or, pre-order all four covers online now here – with a 20% discount when you buy two or more covers with the code NEWWAVE.

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