Robert Aramayo’s BAFTA Triumph: A Rising Star Shines

Robert Aramayo delivered the biggest surprise of the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, securing the Best Actor award for his performance in I Swear. The British actor beat out formidable competition, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Ethan Hawke, Michael B. Jordan and Jesse Plemons, in a stunning victory that similarly saw him claim the EE Rising Star Award.

From Rising Star to Leading Man

Aramayo’s win for Best Actor was widely considered a shock, given the star power of his fellow nominees. He accepted the award with visible emotion, expressing disbelief at being recognized alongside such established actors. “I can’t believe that I’m looking at people like you, and I’m in the same category as you, never mind that I’m stood here,” he said during his acceptance speech, with DiCaprio seen smiling warmly at him. [Metro]

The EE Rising Star Award, voted for by the public, has previously been awarded to future A-list stars such as James McAvoy, Kristen Stewart, Tom Hardy, and Daniel Kaluuya, signaling Aramayo’s potential for continued success. [Metro] [Standard]

I Swear: A Powerful Performance

Aramayo’s winning role was in I Swear, a film based on the true story of John Davidson, a Scottish man living with Tourette’s syndrome. The film depicts Davidson’s experiences growing up with the condition in the 1980s. Davidson was present at the awards ceremony and visibly celebrated Aramayo’s win. Host Alan Cumming acknowledged Davidson’s vocalizations during the ceremony, framing them as a powerful reminder of the film’s subject matter. [Metro] [Standard]

A Mixed Night for British Talent

While Aramayo’s success was a highlight, the 2026 BAFTA Awards saw a decrease in wins for British talent with UK winners taking home 10 awards compared to 17 the previous year. [Standard] Wunmi Mosaku also secured a win for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Sinners, becoming the first black British winner in that category. [Standard]

Paul Thomas Anderson’s Dominance

Despite Aramayo’s feel-good moment, the night largely belonged to Paul Thomas Anderson, whose film One Battle After Another won six awards, including Best Film and Best Director. [The Guardian]