British Unknown Robert Aramayo Stuns at Baftas 2026 with Dual Wins
The 2026 Bafta Awards ceremony delivered a night of surprises and emotional moments, with a relatively unknown British actor stealing the spotlight from Hollywood heavyweights. Robert Aramayo, star of the British drama I Swear, achieved a stunning upset by winning the Best Actor award, defeating high-profile nominees including Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet.
During his tearful acceptance speech, Aramayo expressed disbelief at his victory. "I absolutely can't believe it. I can't believe that I'm looking at people like you, in the same category as you, never mind that I'm stood here," he said, visibly moved by the honour. His triumph didn't end there, as he also secured the EE Rising Star award, cementing his status as the breakout star of the evening.
Major Winners and Emotional Tributes
While Aramayo's performance captured headlines, the film One Battle After Another emerged as the overall champion of the night, claiming six prestigious awards. These included:
- Best Picture
- Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson
- Best Adapted Screenplay for Paul Thomas Anderson
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing
During one of his acceptance speeches, Anderson paid a heartfelt tribute to his long-time first assistant director Adam Somner, who passed away in 2024. This emotional moment added depth to the film's multiple victories.
Other Notable Achievements
The Shakespearean drama Hamnet enjoyed significant success, with Jessie Buckley winning Best Actress and the film itself receiving the Best British Film award. In her acceptance speech, Buckley humorously recalled her early days in London, describing her initial meeting with her agent while sporting what she called "a nuclear bad fake tan" and ambitious dreams of emulating Judi Dench.
Ryan Coogler's film Sinners earned two awards: Best Original Screenplay for Coogler and Best Supporting Actress for British actor Wunmi Mosaku. Meanwhile, Sentimental Value was honoured as Best Film Not in the English Language.
Ceremony Highlights and Host's Approach
Host Alan Cumming navigated the evening with grace, though he had to address a sensitive issue during the broadcast. He apologised to viewers who might have been offended by bad language, explaining that Tourette's campaigner John Davidson – whose life inspired I Swear – was in attendance and experiences involuntary tics and outbursts.
"Tourette Syndrome is a disability and the tics you've heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette Syndrome has no control over their language," Cumming clarified, demonstrating the ceremony's commitment to inclusivity.
Throughout the show, Cumming avoided the political commentary and sharp jokes about attendees that often characterise awards ceremonies. In his final monologue, he subtly referenced the current political climate by celebrating the event's diversity. "We have welcomed people from all over the world, people who look and sound and love differently, for a celebration of stories and ideas and culture – in fact, a celebration of diversity and equality and inclusion," he said. "And guess what? Nobody died."
Notable Omissions
Despite receiving eleven nominations, the sports drama Marty Supreme failed to secure a single award, marking one of the evening's most surprising outcomes. This contrasted sharply with the success of other films that managed to convert nominations into wins.
The 2026 Baftas ultimately showcased a blend of established talent and emerging voices, with Robert Aramayo's unexpected triumph serving as the most memorable moment of a night that celebrated cinematic excellence across multiple genres and backgrounds.
