Dev Patel and Naomie Harris lead the British Oscar nominations with Best Supporting Role nods at the 89th annual Academy Awards
- Patel has been named for his powerful performance in Lion
- Harris receives her first Oscar nomination for her role in Moonlight
- British-American star Andrew Garfield is also amongst the nominations
Dev Patel and Naomie Harris lead a modest selection of British nominations at the forthcoming 89th annual Academy Awards.
Announced on Tuesday afternoon, the home-grown stars feature in the annual ceremony’s Best Supporting Male and Female categories.
Patel, 26, has been rewarded for a powerful supporting role in director Garth Davis’ critically acclaimed Lion, in which he plays Saroo Brierley - a young man desperate to find his biological family 25-years after getting lost on the streets of Calcutta.
Scroll down for video and full list of nominees
In the running: Dev Patel and Naomi Harris lead a modest selection of British nominations at the forthcoming 89th annual Academy Awards
The actor, whose previous credits include Danny Boyle’s Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire, has been nominated alongside Mahershala Ali for Moonlight, Jeff Bridges for Hell Or High Water, Lucas Hedges for Manchester By The Sea and Michael Shannon for Nocturnal Animals.
Upon discovering the news, delighted Dev revealed to MailOnline: 'To be totally honest, the news hasn't made it's way into my brain yet, but I'm looking at these beautiful smiling faces around me... Faces of the ones I love. And I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
'What makes this moment so much more poignant is that I'm in India right now. This enthralling country holds such a deep place in my heart, and it is where Saroo's journey was born.
'This film would be nothing without Garth Davis. Without his love, commitment and vision this "Lion" wouldn't have been able to roar. To that extent I want to share this incredible feeling with Luke, Grieg, Jenny Kent, Iain, Angie, Emile, Sunny, Nicole, David, Rooney, Divian, Priyanka, the Brierley family as well as the Weinstein Co team.
'Lion reaffirms the message that love is not dictated by the color of your skin, not by race, gender, sexuality, social status, or origin. It is a message I am proud to be spreading during these uncertain times. This will forever be one of the most memorable experiences of my life.'
British compatriot Harris, 40, has landed a first Oscar nomination for her portrayal drug addict Paula in Moonlight, an adaptation of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s stage play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue.
'Moonlight is touching many hearts at a time when people are seeking compassion and connection in the world,' she said in an official statement.
Powerful: Patel, 26, has been rewarded for a powerful supporting role in director Garth Davis’ critically acclaimed Lion, in which he plays Saroo Brierley - a young man desperate to find his biological family
Harrowing: British compatriot Harris, 40, has landed a first Oscar nomination for her portrayal drug addict Paula in Moonlight, an adaptation of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s stage play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue
Thank you: Taking to Twitter shortly after the nominations were announced, she wrote 'OMGGG'
'I am incredibly grateful to the Academy for recognizing my part of this story as well as my fellow Moonlight family. It has truly been an honor to share (director) Barry Jenkins' and Tarell McCraney's beautiful journey.'
Taking to Twitter shortly after the nominations were announced, she wrote: 'OMGGG.'
She admitted, she 'couldn't cope' with the news, stating: 'I was at home with my mum, and I started to watch the announcement, but I couldn't cope with the anticipation of it all. My brother called to say I had been nominated." Asked how she celebrated her nomination, she added: "I was just having a lovely walk. It was very grounding.'
The actress is nominated alongside Viola Davis, who has been recognised for her role in Fences, Michelle Williams for Manchester By The Sea, Nicole Kidman who is nominated for Lion and Octavia Spencer for Hidden Figures.
Well done: Elsewhere British-American star Andrew Garfield has been nominated in the Best Actor category
Reward: The actor has been named for his portrayal of United States Army Corporal and conscientious objector Desmond Doss in Mel Gibson's harrowing World War II drama Hacksaw Ridge
Elsewhere British-American star Andrew Garfield has been nominated in the Best Actor category for his portrayal of United States Army Corporal and conscientious objector Desmond Doss in Mel Gibson's harrowing World War II drama Hacksaw Ridge.
The actor, 33, will vie for the coveted trophy alongside Casey Affleck for Manchester By the Sea, Denzel Washington for Fences, Viggo Mortensen for Captain Fantastic and hot favourite Ryan Gosling for La La Land.
Elsewhere the ITN produced Watani: My Homeland has been nominated for an Award in the Best Documentary Short Subject category.
It's an honour: Behind the scenes Guy Hendrix Dyas has been nominated in the category for Production Design for his work on epic science fiction adventure Passengers
Competition: He will compete alongside Stuart Craig, who also gets a nod for his contribution to Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Filmed between 2013 and 2016, the British film tells the story of four young children who live with their parents on the front-line of war-torn Aleppo.
After the children's father is captured by ISIS, they are forced to leave Syria with their mother and to attempt to begin a new life in Germany.
Behind the scenes Guy Hendrix Dyas has been nominated in the category for Production Design for his work on epic science fiction adventure Passengers.
Music to her ears: Completing the list, Musician Mica Levi, better known by stage name Micachu, features in the category for Best Music (Original Score) courtesy of her arrangements for recent biopic Jackie
Popular choice: Consolata Boyle's work on period drama Florence Foster Jenkins has also been recognized, with the seasoned designer nominated for Costume Design
He will compete alongside Stuart Craig, who also gets a nod for his contribution to Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
Consolata Boyle's sterling work on period drama Florence Foster Jenkins has also been recognized, with the seasoned designer nominated for Costume Design.
Completing the list, Musician Mica Levi, better known by stage name Micachu, features in the category for Best Music (Original Score) courtesy of her arrangements on recent biopic Jackie.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-4152234/Dev-Patel-Naomie-Harris-lead-British-nominations.html#ixzz4Wj8uH071
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