Christopher Nolan and his wife, producer Emma Thomas, are set to receive knighthood and damehood respectively for their services to film. The honor was personally approved by Britain’s King Charles III. Ted Sarandos, co-chief executive officer of Netflix, will also receive a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his contributions to the creative industries, one of the highest honors in the U.K. Traditionally, these honors are awarded in person by a senior member of the Royal Family during an investiture ceremony.
Nolan previously received a CBE in 2019 for his work in film and recently won his first best director Oscar for “Oppenheimer,” a film about the father of the first atomic bomb. Produced by Thomas, the film received 13 Academy Award nominations and won seven awards earlier in March. Nolan has been nominated for an Oscar eight times for films such as “Memento” and “Dunkirk.” Nolan and Thomas have collaborated on all of the director’s major films, including “Inception,” “Interstellar,” “The Dark Knight,” “Batman Begins,” and “Tenet.” They also co-founded and operate their production company Syncopy.
Sarandos, who joined Netflix in 2000, has been responsible for content operations, greenlighting shows like the Emmy award-winning series “The Crown.” He became co-chief executive officer in 2020, sharing the role with Greg Peters, who was previously chief operating officer and chief product officer. In a statement, Sarandos expressed his excitement to be part of the U.K.’s creative community and called it an honor to be recognized with the CBE for his contributions to the creative industries.
Sarandos praised the U.K.’s creative brilliance, quality craftsmanship, and top-notch production facilities, highlighting it as an exceptional place to invest. He expressed Netflix’s enthusiasm to be a part of the creative community in the U.K. and viewed the recognition with the CBE as a real honor. The honors for Nolan, Thomas, and Sarandos acknowledge their significant contributions to the film and creative industries, showcasing their talent, dedication, and impact within the field.
The recognition from Britain’s King Charles III further solidifies Nolan and Thomas’ status as prominent figures in the film industry, with their successful collaborations and critically acclaimed projects earning them prestigious accolades. Sarandos’ acknowledgement also underlines his pivotal role at Netflix and his instrumental contributions to the streaming platform’s success, particularly in content operations and decision-making. The honors serve as a testament to the talent and dedication of these individuals and celebrate their achievements in the creative industries.
