Robert Aramayo pulled off the shock of the 2026 Bafta Film Awards, winning best actor for his role in I Swear and reducing fellow nominee Ethan Hawke to tears. The Hull-born actor beat Timothée Chalamet, Ethan Hawke, Michael B Jordan, Jesse Plemons, and Leonardo DiCaprio to claim the prize at London's Royal Festival Hall.
As his name was announced, Aramayo looked stunned before breaking into tears, jogging to the stage and describing the moment as 'absolute madness'. Addressing his fellow nominees, he said: 'I can't believe that I'm looking at people like you, and I'm in the same category as you, never mind that I'm stood here.' The camera panned to Leonardo DiCaprio smiling warmly at him.
The win capped an extraordinary evening for Aramayo, who had already collected the EE rising star award earlier in the ceremony — a prize voted for by the public and previously won by James McAvoy, Kristen Stewart, Tom Hardy, and Daniel Kaluuya. I Swear tells the true story of Tourette's campaigner John Davidson, who was in attendance and punched the air when Aramayo's name was called.
Meanwhile, One Battle After Another claimed best film, capping a dominant run of six awards. Paul Thomas Anderson was named best director and also won adapted screenplay. Accepting the top honour, he dismissed the idea that films were in decline before inviting the audience to join him 'at the bar'.
In other categories, Jessie Buckley won leading actress for Hamnet, which was also named outstanding British film. Ryan Coogler's vampire epic Sinners secured three awards, including supporting actress for Wunmi Mosaku and original screenplay. Sentimental Value made history as the first Norwegian film to win a Bafta, taking best film not in the English language.
