Shonda Rhimes Will Receive A BAFTA Special Award In New York

Shonda rhimes - Karwai Tang

Shonda Rhimes, African American creator, producer, and screenwriter has been chosen to receive a BAFTA Special Award as part of a tribute ceremony in New York City on May 3, 2023. The event will include a fireside chat and cocktail reception for an invited industry audience, marking the return of BAFTA's in-person award presentations in North America.

BAFTA Special Awards are honorary awards awarded to "those who have made a significant, inspiring, and outstanding contribution to film, games, and television" through a single project or through their work, according to the organization. Grey's Anatomy, Bridgerton, and Scandal are among the productions that the Shondaland CEO has worked on.

BAFTA North America chair Krishnendu Majumdar praised Rhimes’s work which has captivated audiences around the world. According to Majumdar, Rhimes’s time “as a groundbreaking producer, showrunner and writer, her impact on the landscape of modern global television is simply unparalleled.” She also believes Rhimes built a foundation and platform that has created opportunities for new voices and talents to thrive in the industry.

Her newest work, the Bridgerton prequel series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, will premiere on Netflix on May 4, 2023.