The BAFTA Television Awards nominations have been announced, revealing a vibrant landscape of talent and productions vying for recognition in the UK television industry. Leading the pack is Netflix's dark comedy series Baby Reindeer, which has garnered an impressive eight nominations, while ITV's drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office follows closely with six nods. Disney+ drama Rivals and Apple TV+'s Slow Horses also each secured six nominations, showcasing a diverse array of storytelling across genres.
Hosted by Alan Cumming, the BAFTA Television Awards ceremony is set to take place on May 11, 2025, and will be broadcast on the BBC in the UK and BritBox in the US. The anticipation surrounding this year's awards is palpable, as the nominations reflect not only individual achievements but also the overall health of the UK TV industry.
According to BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip, the nominations reflect the strength and creativity of British television. "The British TV sector is in rude health, creatively and in terms of craft production quality," she told The Hollywood Reporter. She noted the impressive range of styles and genres showcased in this year’s nominations, highlighting that almost half of the contenders in the performing categories are first-time nominees.
Baby Reindeer, inspired by the real-life experiences of creator Richard Gadd, features Gadd himself in a leading role as Donny, who finds himself stalked by a woman named Martha, played by Jessica Gunning. The show has made headlines recently due to a lawsuit from a woman claiming to be the real Martha, adding an intriguing layer to its narrative.
In the supporting actress category, Gunning competes against fellow nominees including Nava Mau for her role in Baby Reindeer, Katherine Parkinson for Rivals, and Maxine Peake for Say Nothing. Meanwhile, Richard Gadd is nominated for leading actor alongside notable names like David Tennant for Rivals and Gary Oldman for Slow Horses.
However, the nominations weren't without their surprises and disappointments. Notably absent from the main awards were long-running favorites such as This Morning and I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here, both of which failed to secure nominations this year. This Morning has now missed out for two consecutive years under its current hosting duo of Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, while I’m a Celebrity was notably overlooked despite its popularity.
In the soap category, Emmerdale also missed out on nominations, which comes after a controversy involving one of its writers. The show's omission was particularly striking as it had previously been a staple of the BAFTA nominations.
Despite these snubs, the competition remains fierce. Other nominees in the leading actress category include Monica Dolan for her portrayal in Mr Bates vs The Post Office, which focuses on the subpostmasters wrongly prosecuted during the Horizon IT scandal. Dolan's performance has been praised for bringing attention to this significant issue.
Billie Piper also received a nomination for her role as Sam McAlister in Netflix's Scoop, which dramatizes the infamous interview with Prince Andrew. Piper's portrayal has garnered attention and adds to the intrigue of this year's nominations.
On the comedy front, Slow Horses, which features a stellar cast including Oldman, has received accolades for its engaging storytelling and sharp writing. The series has also earned nominations for Christopher Chung and Jonathan Pryce in the supporting actor category.
The BAFTA nominations also highlight a significant representation of women in directing roles, with Millichip noting that half of the nominated directors are women. This reflects ongoing efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within the industry.
As the nominations were unveiled, several first-time nominees have emerged, including Danny Dyer for his role in Mr Bigstuff and Ariyon Bakare for Mr Loverman. The recognition of new talent alongside established names adds an exciting dynamic to this year's awards.
Moreover, the BAFTA Television Craft Awards will take place on April 27, 2025, further celebrating the behind-the-scenes talent that contributes to the success of these productions.
In terms of overall nominations, Disney+ has made a strong showing with 15 nominations, placing it second behind Netflix, which leads with 26. This reflects the growing influence of streaming platforms in the UK television landscape.
As the awards approach, the excitement continues to build around the potential winners. With a diverse array of shows and performances recognized, this year's BAFTA Television Awards promise to be a celebration of the best in British television.
In summary, the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards nominations showcase a vibrant mix of new and returning talent, with Baby Reindeer leading the charge. The industry’s commitment to diversity and quality storytelling is evident, making this year’s ceremony one to watch.
