Stranger Things star Sadie Sink added a major theatrical accolade to her resume, taking home the prize for Best West End Debut Performer at the ninth annual Stage Debut Awards. The ceremony took place on September 27, 2026, at 8 Northumberland Avenue in London.
The 24-year-old actress, widely recognized for playing Max Mayfield in the hit Netflix sci-fi series, earned the honor for her role in Romeo and Juliet opposite Noah Jupe at the Harold Pinter Theatre.
The event was hosted by actor and comedian Hammed Animashaun in association with Netflix. Sink’s category held a unique distinction at the event as the only award determined entirely by a public vote.
With this win, Sink joins a prestigious group of past recipients. Previous winners of the category include Rachel Zegler, who won in 2025 for Evita, and Jodie Comer, who took home the prize in 2022 for Prima Facie.
The Stage Debut Awards celebrate breakthrough talent across United Kingdom theatre, honoring emerging performers, directors, designers, writers, and composers whose work premiered on UK stages.
Sam Marlowe, reviews editor and co-chair of the judging panel, praised the group of recipients following the announcement. “This year’s winners represent a truly exciting range of fresh talent, artists making their mark, bringing us work that speaks to our present moment and enriches and advances theatre as an art form,” Marlowe said.
Other notable winners at the 2026 ceremony included Bafta-winning actor Robert Aramayo for best performer in a play for Guess How Much I Love You? at the Royal Court, and Ava Pickett, who won best creative West End debut for her Tudor-set historical drama 1536 at the Ambassadors Theatre.
