Paintbrushes at the ready! Sky's Portrait Artist of the Year returns for its 12th series on 1st October. A new batch of artists will take on the challenge and create stunning portraits of celebrity sitters in just four hours. At the end of each heat, the sitters will be allowed to choose a portrait to take home with them.
In past years, the show has featured a varied cast of celebrity sitters, from actors to scientists and musicians. Artists compete for the chance to win a once-in-lifetime commission that could launch their careers to new heights.
Which celebrities will be painted on this year's Portrait Artist of the Year?
This year’s sitters bring together an impressive mix of household names and cultural icons from television, stage, music, comedy and beyond. The stars of stage and screen featured this year include Bridgerton's Adjoa Andoh, Billy Porter, Kyla Harris, Royal Ballet star Reece Clarke, and musicians Yungblud, Cat Burns, Jacob Collier and Boyzone’s Shane Lynch.
The line-up also includes broadcasting icons Emily Atack, Max Beesley, Melvin Odoom, Gabby Logan, Beth Rigby, Clara Amfo, Alex Jones, Emma Barnett, James May and Si King, alongside comedians Jack Dee, Jack Rooke and Fatiha El-Ghorri. Completing the line-up are British astronaut Tim Peake, rugby international Joe Marler and acclaimed author Elif Shafak.
Beloved broadcaster and author, Dame Mary Berry, sits for the semi-final, and Succession star Brian Cox for the final. Competing artists will showcase their artistic skills aiming to impress returning judges, Tai Shan Schierenberg, Kathleen Soriano, and Kate Bryan. Comedian Stephen Mangan will also be returning as this year's host.
The winning artist will paint mathematician and broadcaster Hannah Fry, who was awarded the Royal Society's David Attenborough Award and Lecture 2024 in recognition of her significant work in public engagement with science and for her prolific role in popularising mathematics. This year’s winning commission is from The Royal Society – the world’s oldest continuously operating scientific academy and home to leading scientists.
Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts, said: "Our flagship arts competition, Portrait Artist of the Year, returns for its twelfth series, continuing to celebrate the remarkable talent of artists from across the UK. Even after twelve series, we are continually inspired by the extraordinary skill on display. With a compelling line-up of sitters, from celebrated national treasures to leading cultural voices - and the chance to secure a prestigious Royal Society commission - this series continues to fly the flag for the arts and celebrate creativity at its best."
Where to watch Portrait Artist of the Year 2025
Portrait Artist of the Year airs weekly on Sky Arts, Freeview Channel 36 and NOW from 1st October.
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