Simrita Khela has been announced as the winner of The Luke Westlake Scholarship 2025, following 129 applications from 22 drama schools and universities across the UK. The award was presented at the charity’s annual ceremony at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre on 4 December 2025.

Just Add Milk (JAM) has confirmed Simrita Khela as the seventh recipient of its flagship Luke Westlake Scholarship, an annual award that provides over £6,000 in financial and career development support to a working-class actor in the final stages of professional training.

The 2025 scholarship was kindly sponsored by Act On This - The TV Actors Network, with the winner announced in front of leading casting directors, agents, industry professionals, and the families of previous recipients.

Eight Finalists Selected From Over 129 Nationwide Applications

Kristian Wall (JAM), Simrita Khela (Guildhall) and Liam McLaughlin (JAM)

This year’s application process marked the largest and most competitive year in the scholarship’s history, with over 129 submissions received from students training at 22 institutions across the UK. Eight finalists were selected following a rigorous shortlisting and self-tape assessment process, with each representing what JAM describes as “the next generation of outstanding working-class talent”.

In addition to the Luke Westlake Scholarship support, all eight finalists will now be eligible to apply for BAFTA’s Prince William Bursary, thanks to JAM’s official partnership with BAFTA. The bursary provides critical financial assistance to early-career creatives in film, television and theatre.

Simrita Khela

Simrita Khela grew up in North London and identifies proudly as working class. She is currently training at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, having gained entry through its highly competitive Open Door programme, which supports students from under-represented backgrounds.

Speaking after her win, Khela said:

“The scholarship will really impact my journey at Guildhall and acting is everything to me - I love it with every fibre of my being. I’m very grateful for this scholarship. To win this is a mega achievement, and something I thought was unattainable growing up. To be the first South Asian woman in my family to train as an actor and to be nominated for this award hopefully inspires other women similar to me to pursue their dreams and know there is support out there for them.”

Under the scholarship, Khela will receive over £6,000 worth of financial and professional support across her final training period and first years in the industry. This includes:

One-year Spotlight membership
One-year The Stage subscription
One-year Act On This subscription
£500 contribution towards living costs upon graduation
£250 JAM workshop voucher
Voice reels, self-tape studio sessions, professional photography
One-to-one acting and singing masterclasses
Industry meetings with major casting directors and agents

She will also take part in private industry lunches with leading professionals including Becky Paris, Head of Casting at Shakespeare’s Globe.

JAM Executive Directors Praise ‘Exceptional Talent’

Liam McLaughlin and Kristian Wall, Executive Directors of Just Add Milk, said:

“This is our seventh year of hosting the scholarship and our biggest yet. Simrita’s application and shortlist self tapes were outstanding and we think she’s an exceptional talent. We’re excited to watch Simrita progress over her final 18 months at Guildhall and we can’t wait to watch her flourish when she enters the industry in the Summer of 2027. Simrita represents everything the scholarship stands for, so we’re delighted to support another brilliant working-class actor.”

Industry Support From Guildhall

Dr David Linton, Head of Acting and Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) Acting degree at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, added:

“It is vital to ensure that talented artists are supported whatever their circumstance so that the arts are representative and accessible to everyone. The Luke Westlake Scholarship is a wonderful initiative that plays an important role in opening doors. We are so grateful for this support and delighted that Simrita will benefit from this opportunity. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.”

A Growing Legacy Since 2019

The Luke Westlake Scholarship was first launched in 2019 to address the growing financial crisis facing early-career actors. After often spending upwards of £30,000 on training, graduates are then faced with immediate costs for:

Lee Westlake, Simrita Khela and Bridgette Westlake

Spotlight and casting site subscriptions
Professional headshots and showreels
Marketing materials
Zero-hours employment alongside auditions
Lack of industry contacts and networks

The scholarship was named in memory of Luke Westlake, a fiercely talented, working-class actor, with the full support and blessing of his parents, Bridgette and Lee Westlake, who remain actively involved in the scholarship’s judging and development.

Simrita Khela now joins the distinguished list of former winners:

Ayomide Adegun (2020) - now starring in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (Hunger Games prequel) and The Continental (John Wick spin-off)
Melodie Karczewski
Madison Stock
Sol Taibi
Tamzin Khan
Darcy Dixon

2025 Industry Panel and Prize Partners

The 2025 judging panel featured major figures from across theatre, film, television and representation, including:

Laura Hopper
Tom Hopper (The Umbrella Academy, Netflix)
Katy Wale (Agent at Denton Brierley)
Chandra Ruegg (Casting for The Witcher, Netflix)
Bridgette and Lee Westlake
Liam McLaughlin and Kristian Wall (Just Add Milk)

Prize partners this year included Spotlight, The Stage, Act On This, Nick Hern Books, Fay Summerfield Photography, SOLT, Road Casting, True Edge Combat, Screen International, and leading industry coaches, musical directors and casting professionals.

About The Luke Westlake Scholarship

The Luke Westlake Scholarship is an annual award providing over £6,000 in financial and professional support to a working-class actor in their final years of training as they prepare to enter the industry.

Founded by charity Just Add Milk, the scholarship exists to tackle the financial barriers that prevent working-class actors from sustaining a career following graduation. Through its growing network of industry partners, JAM continues to expand the scope, reach and impact of the award each year.

Simrita Khela Wins The Luke Westlake Scholarship 2025