Dame Donna Langley, the esteemed chair of NBCUniversal Entertainment, is poised to receive the British Academy's most prestigious honor, the BAFTA Fellowship. This significant accolade, which acknowledges an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, games, or television, marks Langley as the first Hollywood studio boss ever to be bestowed with such a distinction. The presentation of the Fellowship is scheduled to take place at the BAFTA Film Awards on February 22, a ceremony where Universal’s Focus Features is notably strong with numerous nominations, including eleven for “Hamnet”. Langley, who was made a Dame by the late Queen Elizabeth in the 2020 New Year’s Honour List, expressed profound gratitude for the recognition from her home country and industry peers.

In her statement, Dame Donna Langley conveyed, “It is an incredible honor to be chosen as this year’s recipient of the BAFTA Fellowship.” She further emphasized her privilege as a Brit to be recognized by her home country and colleagues, attributing her success to the indelible vision of her creative partners. Langley lauded BAFTA as the “gold standard of excellence in the U.K. for film and television,” taking pride in her collaborations with local artists who are actively shaping the future of the entertainment business. She acknowledged her good fortune in being part of this vibrant community every day.

Originally from the Isle of Wight in the U.K., Dame Donna Langley holds the distinguished position as the first British woman to lead a major Hollywood studio. Her remarkable journey spans over three decades since her arrival in Los Angeles without any prior industry connections. Today, she comprehensively oversees creative strategy, business operations, production, acquisitions, marketing, and distribution across all NBCUniversal entertainment programming, demonstrating her extensive influence and expertise in the global entertainment landscape.

The BAFTA Fellowship is being presented to Langley in recognition of her “transformative leadership in the face of rapid change and disruption,” her “sustained commitment to inclusion and pipeline building,” and the “strength of her relationships with creative partners who bring film and television to life.” Beyond her personal achievements, Langley has strategically positioned the U.K. as a vital hub for NBCUniversal, facilitating the production of tentpole films from the highly successful “Jurassic World” franchise and two upcoming “Wicked” titles within the country. Furthermore, she has fostered hugely successful relationships with acclaimed British directors such as Christopher Nolan, solidifying her impact on both local and international cinema.

Sara Putt, the BAFTA Chair, underscored Langley's monumental influence, stating, “The first British woman to lead a major Hollywood studio, Dame Donna Langley’s cultural impact has been exceptional.” Putt highlighted BAFTA’s honor in celebrating Langley’s transformative studio leadership and the robustness of her creative relationships, which have brought countless iconic films to audiences worldwide. The anticipation for presenting her with the BAFTA Fellowship on February 22 remains high.

Dame Donna Langley joins a distinguished roster of past BAFTA Fellows who have been honored for their significant contributions to film. This esteemed list includes luminaries such as Dame Helen Mirren, Mike Leigh, Sidney Poitier, Mel Brooks, Sir Ridley Scott, Thelma Schoonmaker, Kathleen Kennedy, Ang Lee, Sandy Powell, and Samantha Morton. The most recent recipient of the BAFTA Fellowship was Warwick Davis, who received the honor last year at the 2025 EE BAFTA Film Awards, further illustrating the caliber of individuals recognized by this prestigious institution.