In a ceremony hosted by Alan Cumming, the event featured shocking upsets, including Robert Aramayo's unexpected victory in the Leading Actor category for "I Swear," beating out favorites Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio. Ryan Coogler's "Sinners" followed with three wins, while Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein" also claimed three technical honors.
The awards highlighted British talent and international films, with Jessie Buckley taking Leading Actress for "Hamnet," which also won Outstanding British Film. As a key precursor to the Oscars, the results signal potential shifts in awards season momentum.
Key Winners and Highlights
"One Battle After Another," starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Chase Infiniti, Teyana Taylor, and Sean Penn, follows a washed-up revolutionary protecting his daughter from a ruthless military officer in a tense, action-driven narrative. Anderson's direction blended sharp political commentary with thrilling sequences, earning praise for its relevance in today's global climate.
Aramayo's dual wins—for Leading Actor and the EE Rising Star Award—marked a historic first, as he became the only performer to claim both in the same night. In his emotional speech, the actor expressed disbelief at sharing the category with DiCaprio and Chalamet.
Chalamet's "Marty Supreme" suffered a stunning shutout, tying a record for most nominations (11) without a win, despite high expectations for the Josh Safdie-directed film. DiCaprio, nominated for his role in "One Battle After Another," also went home empty-handed in the acting category.
Other notable moments included Wunmi Mosaku's Supporting Actress win for "Sinners," boosting her Oscar prospects, and Sean Penn's Supporting Actor triumph for "One Battle After Another." The ceremony honored Dame Donna Langley with the BAFTA Fellowship and Clare Binns for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema.
Here is a complete list of winners:
| Category | Winner | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best Film | Paul Thomas Anderson, Sara Murphy, Adam Somner | One Battle After Another |
| Outstanding British Film | Chloé Zhao, Liza Marshall, Pippa Harris, Nicolas Gonda, Steven Spielberg, Sam Mendes, Maggie O'Farrell | Hamnet |
| Best Director | Paul Thomas Anderson | One Battle After Another |
| Leading Actress | Jessie Buckley | Hamnet |
| Leading Actor | Robert Aramayo | I Swear |
| Supporting Actress | Wunmi Mosaku | Sinners |
| Supporting Actor | Sean Penn | One Battle After Another |
| Original Screenplay | Ryan Coogler | Sinners |
| Adapted Screenplay | Paul Thomas Anderson | One Battle After Another |
| Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer | Akinola Davies Jr. | My Father's Shadow |
| Film Not in the English Language | Eskil Vogt, Joachim Trier | Sentimental Value |
| Documentary | - | The Perfect Neighbor |
| Animated Film | Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Yvett Merino | Zootropolis 2 |
| Casting | - | I Swear |
| Cinematography | - | One Battle After Another |
| Original Score | - | Sinners |
| Editing | - | One Battle After Another |
| Production Design | - | Frankenstein |
| Costume Design | - | Frankenstein |
| Make Up & Hair | - | Frankenstein |
| Sound | - | F1 |
| Special Visual Effects | - | Avatar: Fire and Ash |
| EE Rising Star Award | Robert Aramayo | - |
Nominations and the Competitive Field
The nominations were led by "One Battle After Another" with 14 nods, followed by "Sinners" (13), "Hamnet" (11), and "Marty Supreme" (11). Other strong contenders included "Frankenstein" with eight nominations and "Sentimental Value" with eight.
In Leading Actor, Aramayo triumphed over Chalamet ("Marty Supreme"), DiCaprio ("One Battle After Another"), Ethan Hawke ("Blue Moon"), Michael B. Jordan ("Sinners"), and Jesse Plemons ("Bugonia").
Leading Actress saw Buckley prevail against Rose Byrne ("If I Had Legs I’d Kick You"), Kate Hudson ("Song Sung Blue"), Chase Infiniti ("One Battle After Another"), Renate Reinsve ("Sentimental Value"), and Emma Stone ("Bugonia").
Supporting categories featured Benicio Del Toro ("One Battle After Another"), Jacob Elordi ("Frankenstein"), Paul Mescal ("Hamnet"), Peter Mullan ("I Swear"), and Stellan Skarsgård ("Sentimental Value") alongside Penn. For Supporting Actress, Mosaku bested Odessa A’zion ("Marty Supreme"), Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas ("Sentimental Value"), Carey Mulligan ("The Ballad of Wallis Island"), Teyana Taylor ("One Battle After Another"), and Emily Watson ("Hamnet").
Why the 2026 BAFTAs Matter
The BAFTAs serve as a crucial bellwether for the Academy Awards, often predicting Oscar outcomes in major categories. "One Battle After Another's" sweep reinforces its frontrunner status, while Aramayo's upset could influence acting races. The recognition of diverse films like "Sinners," a blues-infused epic, and "Hamnet," a British period drama, highlights the industry's push for inclusive storytelling.
These wins matter for representation: Buckley's victory makes her the first Irish woman to win Leading Actress, and Mosaku's win spotlights Black British talent. The event also celebrated emerging voices, with "My Father's Shadow" earning Outstanding Debut.
Red Carpet Fashion and Celebrity Moments
The red carpet was a showcase of glamour, with many stars opting for elegant black gowns accented by sheer fabrics and bold cutouts. Odessa A’zion turned heads in a sheer ensemble from "Marty Supreme," while Chase Infiniti stunned in an oxblood Louis Vuitton mermaid gown.
Timothée Chalamet, nominated for "Marty Supreme," arrived in custom Givenchy, accompanied by Kylie Jenner, serving major style goals in coordinated looks. Celebrities in Prada dominated, including Teyana Taylor reimagining a Burberry trench as a gown and Rose Byrne in Miu Miu. Emma Stone and Renate Reinsve embraced daring cutouts, adding edge to the evening's old-Hollywood vibe.
Prince William, BAFTA President, attended, continuing royal support for the event.
How to Watch the 2026 BAFTA Awards
U.S. viewers could stream the ceremony on E! at 8 p.m. ET/PT on February 22, with free trials available via DirecTV, Sling, or Hulu + Live TV. In the UK, it aired live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7 p.m. GMT. Red carpet coverage streamed on BAFTA's YouTube starting at 9:30 a.m. ET.
What Happens Next in Awards Season
With the BAFTAs concluded, attention turns to the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Oscars in March. Aramayo's momentum could carry into next year's eligibility for "I Swear," while "One Battle After Another" solidifies its path to potential Oscar glory. The results emphasize storytelling's power to address contemporary issues, setting the stage for a dynamic close to the season.
0 Comments