Robert Aramayo: robert aramayo claims best actor at the 2026 Baftas
robert aramayo capped a strong night for British cinema at the 2026 Baftas, taking both best newcomer and best actor awards. The ceremony was dominated by Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another, while Jessie Buckley, Wunmi Mosaku and a string of smaller winners also took home prizes.
Robert Aramayo’s emotional win
Gasps and cheers rang out at the Bafta media centre when Robert Aramayo won the best leading actor prize for his performance in I Swear, which tells the real-life story of Tourette's campaigner John Davidson. Aramayo, 33, who grew up in Hull, became visibly emotional as he thanked fellow nominee Ethan Hawke and recalled a life-changing talk at Julliard about longevity and protecting your instrument. He told the room he "couldn't believe" he had won and that everyone in the category "blew him away. " His father appeared on camera in floods of tears for a second time during the broadcast, prompting another wave of applause.
One Battle After Another success
One Battle After Another was the biggest winner of the night, taking home six Baftas including best film, best director and a supporting actor prize for Sean Penn. Leonardo DiCaprio, who played washed-up revolutionary Bob Ferguson, picked up a record seventh Bafta nomination for that role, a tally that places him level with Michael Caine, Laurence Olivier and Daniel Day-Lewis. The film stars DiCaprio alongside Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti and Sean Penn. Accepting best film, Paul Thomas Anderson — who had earlier almost dropped his Bafta for best adapted screenplay — called the result a "tremendous honour" and told detractors that anyone who says movies aren't good "can piss right off because this is a great f***ing year. " Prince William later described One Battle After Another as "weird" backstage.
Sinners and Wunmi Mosaku
Sinners won three of its 13 nominations, including original screenplay and best supporting actress for Wunmi Mosaku. Mosaku used her speech to address family, thanking her daughter, her mother, her fathers, sisters, niece and nephews, and spoke of the sacrifices and protection she received and her faith in God's plan, likening that love to Aesop's fable The Sun and the Wind — shining and giving freedom to make choices and dream.
Jessie Buckley and Hamnet
Jessie Buckley was named best actress for her role in the Shakespeare biopic Hamnet. Buckley, the first Irish star to win the prize, said that as a little girl she "never in a million years" imagined making a film. She recalled early, awkward days in the industry — bad fake tan, white hoop earrings and a polka-dot red skirt — and reflected on rising from the talent show I'd Do Anything, where she was runner-up in the 2009 search for a West End Nancy. Buckley paid tribute to the women who taught and continue to teach her to do the work differently.
Red carpet, jokes and smaller winners
The evening included a mix of drama and levity: host Alan Cumming dispersed snacks on the red carpet and on stage, offering Jammie Dodgers to Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner, Twiglets for Rose Byrne and an oaty flapjack for Leonardo DiCaprio, who said it sounded "fantastic. " Cumming made a series of irreverent jokes — one asking Kylie whether she'd ever had her gums around a giant Jammie Dodger — and quips about folk singers and a cut TV gag about an animated sequel. Warwick Davis took a swipe at Tom Cruise's height during the night. The ceremony also featured Dean Atta winning the best British short animation prize for Two Black Boys in Paradise, noting that as a black gay man he rarely sees himself on stage in anything that isn't a tragedy, and Joachim Trier collecting the Bafta for best film not in the English language for Sentimental Value, remarking that it was the first Norwegian film to win and that Norwegians are usually better at skiing. Akinola Davies Jr won outstanding debut and used his speech to address the children of the diaspora and people under occupation, dictatorship and persecution, concluding with a call for "Free Palestine. " Paddington presented the best family film and joked about getting marmalade on a Bafta; the night featured references to a marmalade-covered Peruvian bear and even some K-pop.
Timothée Chalamet had spent seven years mastering table tennis for his role in Marty Supreme, a film that received 11 nominations but failed to win any awards, and both Timothée Chalamet and Timothee Chalamet were among the big names who missed out in their categories. Paul Mescal was also named among high-profile nominees who did not win. The rising star award, chosen by public vote, had been presented to Aramayo earlier in the evening and I Swear also picked up a third award for its casting.
Edited by Andrew Humphrey, with reporters spread out across the red carpet, the ceremony wrapped up after a night of surprises and standing ovations. Organisers brought the live coverage to a close with thanks to viewers and a promise of a full winners' list.
Both Chalamet and DiCaprio remain in the running for the best actor Oscar later this year, where Hollywood is expected to figure prominently, but for now the night belonged to British talent led by robert aramayo.
