2026 BAFTA Awards: Aramayo Shocks with Best Actor Win, Cumming Hosts

The 79th British Academy Film Awards, hosted by Alan Cumming, took place on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at London’s Royal Festival Hall. The ceremony saw a surprising win for Robert Aramayo in the leading actor category, while One Battle After Another dominated the night with six awards.

Robert Aramayo’s Unexpected Victory

Robert Aramayo secured the Best Actor award for his performance in I Swear, a British biopic about Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson. His win was a shock to many, as he beat out nominees including Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Michael B. Jordan, and Ethan Hawke. Aramayo also received the EE Rising Star award earlier in the evening. He expressed his disbelief and admiration for his fellow nominees, particularly Ethan Hawke, recalling a formative talk Hawke gave at Juilliard about longevity and protecting one’s craft.

One Battle After Another Leads the Winners

Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another was the night’s biggest winner, taking home six BAFTAs, including Best Film and Best Director. The film also won awards for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Editing, and Best Supporting Actor, with Sean Penn receiving the latter award despite being unable to attend the ceremony.

Other Notable Wins

Jessie Buckley was awarded Best Actress for her role in Hamnet, which also won the Best British Film award. Ryan Coogler’s Sinners earned three awards, including Best Original Screenplay, and Wunmi Mosaku won Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the same film. I Swear also received the award for Best Casting.

Controversy and Broadcast Concerns

The ceremony wasn’t without its challenges. Outbursts from John Davidson, the Tourette Syndrome campaigner whose life inspired I Swear, led to an apology from host Alan Cumming, who explained the involuntary nature of tics and outbursts associated with the condition.

Many viewers expressed frustration that the BBC did not broadcast the awards live, leading to spoilers circulating on social media before the broadcast aired. This practice has drawn criticism, with viewers questioning why the results are not available in real-time, as is common with other major awards shows. This marked the second time in recent months that UK fans experienced delayed broadcast issues, following similar problems with the Golden Globes.

Looking Ahead to the Oscars

The BAFTA Awards are often seen as an indicator of potential success at the Academy Awards, which will be held on March 16, 2026, and broadcast live in the UK on ITV1 and ITVX.