Scottish actor and presenter Alan Cumming has been announced as the host of the 2026 Bafta film awards, succeeding David Tennant. Cumming, who previously hosted the Bafta TV awards in 2025 and gained international recognition for hosting The Traitors US, will take the stage at the Royal Festival Hall on 22 February 2026.
The ceremony marks a return to the Bafta fold for Cumming, who expressed excitement about hosting the event, saying he hopes to “celebrate and honour creativity and craftsmanship – and also hopefully have a laugh and create some mischief”. Bafta’s executive director of awards and content, Emma Baehr, praised Cumming’s “sharp wit, warmth and vibrant energy”, promising an unforgettable night.
Cumming’s career spans television, film and theatre, earning him a Bafta, multiple Emmys, two Tonys and an Olivier award. He also serves as artistic director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre. The longlists for the 2026 Bafta film awards will be released on 9 January, with nominations announced on 27 January.
Bafta has made significant strides in diversity following the #BaftasSoWhite controversy in 2020. The organisation recently announced it had achieved nearly all its five-year membership diversity targets across minority ethnic groups, deaf, disabled and neurodivergent members, and LGB+ individuals. However, the target of 50% female membership currently stands at 43%, though 51% of new members since 2020 are women.
The Baftas are the penultimate major awards event of the season, following the Golden Globes on 11 January and preceding the Oscars on 15 March. In 2025, Conclave won best picture among four awards. Films expected to be shortlisted in 2026 include Hamnet, Sinners, One Battle After Another, Marty Supreme and Frankenstein.
