The annual New Year’s Honours, which recognizes the outstanding achievements of people in the U.K. across literature, performing arts, sports, civic duty, and other areas, has been unveiled. The 2019 list is presented by or in the name of the Queen and gave awards to 1,148 people.
Among them was Tony-winning actor Sophie Okonedo, who was awarded an CBE—Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire—for her services to drama. A Tony winner for her performance as Ruth Younger in Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, Okonedo was last seen on Broadway in the 2016 revival of Arthur Miller's The Crucible. She recently starred alongside Ralph Fiennes in Anthony and Cleopatra at the National Theatre.
Choreographer Richard Alston was awarded a knighthood for services to dance; His Dark Materials author Philip Pullman was also awarded a knighthood; and model, singer and actor Lesley Lawson (Twiggy) was made a dame.
Westworld star Thandie Newton was awarded an OBE for her services to film and charity; and stage and screen actor Jim Carter was also a 2019 honoree, awarded with an OBE for his services to drama.
