The 2026 BAFTAS returned with one of the most unpredictable ceremonies in recent memory — packed with shocks, snubs, emotional tributes, and even a surprise visit from Paddington Bear.
The biggest twist of the night came when Robert Aramayo won Best Actor for I Swear, a low-budget Tourette syndrome drama. The 33-year-old beat heavyweights including Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke, and favorite Timothée Chalamet — leaving the room visibly stunned.
ethan hawke saying ‘that’s better than winning’ hearing robert aramayo share that ethan once gave a speech at his school that deeply impacted him 🥺 pic.twitter.com/jEtu402Wu2
— ana (@shivlestat) February 23, 2026
Host Alan Cumming had a mixed night. While his opening monologue avoided sharp political humor, he later found his groove by handing out British snacks to nominees and delivering cheeky Paddington jokes that landed far better than his scripted bits.
Alan Cumming offers snacks to Emma Stone, Stormzy, Timotheé Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, Leonardo DiCaprio, Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale at the #BAFTAs pic.twitter.com/lKMxaruYym
— 𝙲𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚖𝚊 𝙱𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚝 (@CinemaBurst) February 22, 2026
Behind the camera, Paul Thomas Anderson won Best Director for One Battle After Another. His heartfelt tribute to late producer Adam Somner became the evening’s most emotional speech.
WARNING: STRONG LANGUAGE
Dark comedy ‘One Battle After Another’ dominated BAFTAs with six awards, including Best Film and Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson https://t.co/oWHTskynrl pic.twitter.com/zqVjaDkPYR— Reuters Showbiz (@ReutersShowbiz) February 23, 2026
Best Actress went to Jessie Buckley for Hamnet, positioning her as a frontrunner for the Oscars. Meanwhile, Marty Supreme walked away empty-handed despite 12 nominations — one of the night’s biggest snubs.
”i promise to continue to be disobedient so that you can belong to a world in all your mad, complex wildness as a young woman” — jessie buckley dedicating her bafta to her daughter pic.twitter.com/GdQDNGFn1h
— hanna 🐉 (@hannaeeliz) February 22, 2026
A surprise crowd-pleaser at the 2026 BAFTAS came from Paddington Bear, who presented an award and drew some of the loudest cheers of the ceremony.
Paddington presenting at the BAFTAs is one of the most British things to happen pic.twitter.com/UgDtLInilO
— Jono Read (@jonoread) February 23, 2026
Musical moments included a performance from Huntr/x’s singers from Netflix’s K Pop Demon Hunters, while Jessie Ware delivered a moving rendition of “The Way We Were” during the In Memoriam segment honoring Robert Redford.
🥹 Jessie Ware performando “The Way We Were” da Barbra Streisand no BAFTA 2026.
pic.twitter.com/bePwxSg9Ue— Jessie Ware Brasil (@Jessie_WareBr) February 22, 2026
Finally, Hollywood powerhouse Donna Langley received a BAFTA Fellowship, presented by Prince William.
Dame Donna Langley thanks those who have opened doors as she accepts the BAFTA Fellowship 🤩#EEBAFTAs pic.twitter.com/ocU0DO1m0a
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 22, 2026
From surprise victories to emotional tributes, the 2026 BAFTAS proved once again why awards season is never predictable.
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