Cynthia Erivo To Receive Derek Malcolm Award For Innovation At The London Critics’ Circle Awards

The London Critics’ Circle will fete Wicked actor Cynthia Erivo with the Derek Malcolm Award For Innovation at its 46th awards ceremony in February. 

Erivo is the third recipient of the annual award, named in memory of the legendary critic Derek Malcolm, who died at 91 in August 2023. Colman Domingo was the inaugural recipient in 2024, while Avatar star Zoe Saldaña was the second winner.

“I am so deeply honored to accept the Derek Malcolm Award for Innovation and to be recognized in this capacity by the London Film Critics’ Circle, a group I greatly admire and one that has championed me throughout my career,” Erivo said in a statement. “This has been an incredible year for film, and having the opportunity to bring Elphaba, the embodiment of a trailblazer, to the screen has been one of my greatest privileges.”

The 46th London Critics’ Circle Film Awards take place on Sunday, 1 February 2026. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another topped the nominations, with nine nods overall, followed by Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, with eight. 

Ryan Coogler’s Sinners was nominated in seven categories. Josh Safdie’s sports comedy Marty Supreme earned six nominations, while the dark comedy-drama Sorry, Baby landed five. In the way of UK titles, Harry Lighton’s Pillion was nominated for three awards, including British/Irish Film of the Year, where it will compete alongside Hamnet, The Ballad of Wallis Island, and Kirk Jones’ I Swear.

On Erivo’s award, Jane Crowther, Chair of the London Film Critics’ Circle, added: “We’re so thrilled to give Cynthia this honour in recognition of her innovative work telling stories that illuminate, inspire and challenge audiences. She defies expectations across music, film, and the stage.”