GETTING READY FOR HOLLYWOOD'S BIG NIGHT THE ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS 'BARBIE' AND 'OPPENHEIMER' LEAD THE WAY FOR THIS YEAR'S OSCARS

British and Irish stars could be shining at this year’s Academy Awards, with Cillian Murphy, Carey Mulligan and Emily Blunt among those nominated.

- LAURA BENJAMIN

Co. Cork-born Cillian is up for Best Actor for Oppenheimer, while co-star Emily received a nod in the Best Supporting Actress list.

The actor was in Ireland with his family when he received the news, he said. “I was at home in Cork with my mum and dad and my wife and my phone started popping, so I figured it was good news. Everybody started texting.

“You know, you can’t really avoid good news or bad news, but it’s better when it’s good news.

“It’s very, very humbling. I’m kind of a little in shock. It’s just a real honour to be involved in a film that has connected so powerfully with people in a way that we never expected.”

Oppenheimer is now favourite to sweep the board after receiving 13 nominations, including Best Director for Christopher Nolan and the coveted Best Picture.