When the 79th EE BAFTA Film Awards unfolded at London’s Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026, few could have predicted the seismic upsets and emotional moments that would ripple across the film industry. The night, hosted by Alan Cumming with his trademark dry wit and candor, delivered both expected triumphs and genuine shocks—none more so than the crowning of Robert Aramayo as Leading Actor for his performance in “I Swear,” a film not yet released outside the UK.
Aramayo’s win was nothing short of a surprise. The 33-year-old Englishman, relatively unknown to many international audiences, beat heavyweights Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio, both considered frontrunners after a season of high-profile wins and nominations. According to Getty, Aramayo took the stage visibly moved, saying, “I absolutely can’t believe this while looking at people like you,” gesturing toward DiCaprio. “I honestly cannot believe I have won this award.” He went on to reflect on formative advice he’d received: “When I was in school, Ethan Hawke gave a talk on longevity as an actor, about protecting your instrument and avoiding self-destructive behaviours. So to be in this category with you tonight is incredible.”
The role that earned Aramayo this accolade was that of John Davidson, a Scottish Tourette syndrome activist. Davidson himself was present at the ceremony and received a heartfelt shout-out during Aramayo’s acceptance for the BAFTA Rising Star Award. “John Davidson is the most remarkable man I’ve ever met,” Aramayo said. “He’s so forthcoming with education, he believes there’s so much more to know about Tourette’s.” “I Swear” has already been lauded by critics in the UK and is set to open in Australian cinemas on March 26, 2026, but remains unseen by audiences elsewhere, adding to the mystique of Aramayo’s BAFTA win.
For Timothée Chalamet, who had swept much of the best actor circuit this season for his turn in “Marty Supreme,” the BAFTA loss was a significant setback. He’d previously nabbed the Critics Choice and Golden Globe awards, and many had pegged him as the favorite for his first Oscar. But as WireImage reported, Chalamet’s loss at the BAFTAs suggests his Oscar prospects may not be as secure as once believed—especially with 25% of Academy voters residing overseas and a notable overlap with BAFTA membership. Leonardo DiCaprio, nominated for “One Battle After Another,” also left the evening empty-handed, despite his film’s overall success.
The night belonged to “One Battle After Another,” which swept the ceremony with six awards, including Best Film and Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson. The film also took home trophies for Cinematography, Editing, Adapted Screenplay, and Supporting Actor (Sean Penn). Anderson, never one to shy away from bold statements, declared, “Anybody who says movies aren’t good anymore can piss right off… Let’s keep making things without fear.” He paid tribute to the late producer Adam Somner, adding, “You may think your greatest export was Alfred Hitchcock… but to me it was Adam Somner.”
Sean Penn’s win for Supporting Actor, portraying a psychotic army man in “One Battle After Another,” was another surprise. Penn had been overlooked for much of awards season in favor of co-stars Benicio del Toro and Stellan Skarsgård (the latter winning the Golden Globe for the same category), but the BAFTA jury finally recognized his performance. As FilmMagic noted, this makes the Oscar race for Supporting Actor one of the tightest in years, with Penn, Skarsgård, and Jacob Elordi (who won the Critics Choice) all in contention.
Jessie Buckley’s victory as Leading Actress for “Hamnet” was one of the few outcomes that matched expectations. Buckley, the first Irish woman to win this BAFTA, has dominated the category all season. In her acceptance speech, Buckley reflected on the emotional toll of her role, stating, “This is such an incredible honour… I promise to continue to be disobedient” for her daughter. Her closest Oscar competitor, Rose Byrne (“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”), had shown early promise but has struggled to maintain momentum against Buckley’s consistent acclaim.
Supporting Actress went to Wunmi Mosaku for her role in Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” marking her first major award of the season and a moment of overdue recognition. Mosaku delivered a moving speech, saying, “I found a part of myself in Annie, a part of my hopes and my ancestral power and connection, parts I thought I’d lost or dimmed as an immigrant trying to fit in.” She added, “Through her I deepened my belief in my potential, my capacity to love and hope in the darkest moments of grief and in the face of this harsh world.” “Sinners” also took home awards for Original Screenplay—making Coogler the first Black winner in that category—and Original Score (Ludwig Göransson).
Alan Cumming, hosting the ceremony, set the tone for the evening with wry commentary on the emotional weight of this year’s films. “Watching films this year was like having a collective breakdown,” he quipped, referencing the somber themes of “Hamnet.” He didn’t shy away from poking fun at the industry, noting, “It’s almost as though, I don’t know, there are events going on in the real world that are influencing filmmakers. Anyone else, like you Americans in particular?” Cumming’s playful antics, including leading a primal scream and interacting with Prince William and Emma Stone, offered levity amid the night’s drama.
Other notable winners included “Zootopia 2” for Best Animated Film, “Sentimental Value” for Best Film Not in the English Language, and “Mr Nobody Against Putin” for Best Documentary. Donna Langley, chair of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, received the BAFTA Fellowship from Prince William, becoming the first Hollywood studio boss to be so honored.
The ceremony also featured a live performance of “Golden” by Huntrix, a song that’s become a global sensation but was ineligible for a BAFTA due to release rules. Netflix’s appeal for an exception was denied, but the performance still brought the house down, complete with backup dancers and pyrotechnics.
With Oscar night looming on March 15 at the Dolby Theater, the BAFTA results have thrown several categories wide open. While “One Battle After Another” and Paul Thomas Anderson are now considered strong favorites for the top prizes, the acting races—especially Best Actor and Supporting Actor—remain hotly contested. Jessie Buckley’s momentum seems unstoppable, but as the BAFTAs proved, nothing is certain in awards season. For now, the film world is left to debate, anticipate, and—if Alan Cumming has his way—occasionally let out a cathartic scream.