Sophie Habboo Showcases Pre-BAFTA Glamour as Stars Converge for 2026 Ceremony
Sophie Habboo has taken centre stage in the glamorous preparations ahead of the star-studded BAFTA Film Awards 2026. The former Made In Chelsea star, aged 31, offered fans a glimpse into her pre-ceremony pampering session via her Instagram Story, sharing moments with celebrity hairstylist Willis Galbraith.
The mother-of-one appeared utterly delighted as she enjoyed being prepped for the evening's festivities. Initially seen looking cosy in a stylish grey co-ordinated outfit, she later transformed into a stunning gown for the red carpet. Her husband, Jamie Laing, who will co-host the red carpet with her, shared a snap of the chaotic preparations in their hotel room, humorously declaring it 'chaos'.
A Star-Studded Evening at the Royal Festival Hall
The Southbank Centre's iconic Royal Festival Hall in London provides the magnificent backdrop for this year's ceremony, where the very best of contemporary cinema will be honoured on Sunday evening. Hosted by the charismatic Alan Cumming, the event promises an impressive lineup of Hollywood and British talent.
Among the notable attendees are cinema heavyweights Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Jacob Elordi, and Michael B. Jordan, all celebrating the year's most significant cinematic releases. The red carpet experience will be enhanced by a special DJ set from Magic FM presenter Neev Spencer, while Clara Amfo and Ali Plumb deliver live reports from outside the legendary venue.
Presenters and Performers Add to the Glittering Occasion
A lengthy and diverse list of celebrity guest presenters includes Aimee Lou Wood, Alicia Vikander, Cillian Murphy, Ethan Hawke, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Sadie Sink, and British grime artist Stormzy. The Royal Festival Hall stage will also welcome appearances from Kerry Washington, Minnie Driver, Monica Bellucci, Patrick Dempsey, and Regé-Jean Page, among other distinguished figures.
Entertainment throughout the evening will span a broad spectrum, featuring a first performance outside the United States of the record-breaking track 'Golden' from KPop Demon Hunters, performed by JAE, AUDREYNUNA & REI AMI. Additionally, British singer Jessie Ware will deliver a moving tribute during the In Memoriam segment with a cover of a Barbara Streisand classic.
Special Awards and Record-Breaking Nominations
This year's Special Award recipients include Dame Donna Langley, who will receive the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship, the arts charity's highest accolade. The British Chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment is being celebrated for her prolific career and status as one of the most influential figures in the entertainment industry.
Furthermore, Clare Binns, Creative Director of Picture House Cinemas, will be presented with the BAFTA Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema award, recognising her vital role in championing diverse and fiercely independent work on big screens across the United Kingdom.
In terms of nominations, Paul Thomas Anderson's latest film, 'One Battle After Another', leads the field with a remarkable fourteen nominations. It faces strong competition from supernatural horror 'Sinners' with thirteen nominations, and 'Hamnet', director Chloé Zhao's moving drama about the death of Shakespeare's only son, which has earned eleven nominations.
Adapted from Maggie O'Farrell's award-winning novel, 'Hamnet' has broken the record for the most nominations for a female-directed film in BAFTA history. Irish star Jessie Buckley has been nominated for her lead role, having already secured a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice Award, alongside nominations for the Academy Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Notable Contenders and First-Time Nominees
Co-star Paul Mescal, overlooked during Oscar nominations, will be hoping for recognition with his Supporting Actor BAFTA nod. Meanwhile, 'Marty Supreme' and Timothée Chalamet aim to continue their winning streak with eleven BAFTA nominations, including Best Film and Best Actor, following recent triumphs at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards.
Other films with significant nominations include 'Frankenstein' and 'Sentimental Value' with eight each, while 'I Swear' and 'Bugonia' have five nominations apiece. 'The Ballad of Wallis Island', 'Pillion', and 'F1' each have three nominations.
The Leading Actress category features strong contenders such as Rose Byrne for 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You', Kate Hudson for 'Song Sung Blue', Chase Infiniti for 'One Battle After Another', Renate Reinsve for 'Sentimental Value', and Emma Stone for 'Bugonia'. Leonardo DiCaprio could secure his second ever BAFTA with his seventh nomination, this year for his Leading Actor performance in the heavily decorated 'One Battle After Another'.
First-time BAFTA Film nominees include Robert Aramayo, Odessa A'zion, Rose Byrne, Chase Infiniti, Michael B. Jordan, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Stellan Skarsgård, and Teyana Taylor, adding fresh excitement to the proceedings.
BAFTA's Mission and Broadcast Details
Emma Baehr, Executive Director of Awards and Content, expressed delight at welcoming this year's remarkable nominees to London for what promises to be a vibrant celebration of creativity, craft, and collaboration in British and global cinema. She highlighted the impressive lineup of presenters representing the very best of film and the wider creative industries, anticipating an unforgettable occasion for audiences both at home and in the room.
As a charity, BAFTA's mission is to champion the creative and cultural importance of the screen arts across film, games, and television. Through its Awards ceremonies and year-round programme of talent initiatives, learning events, masterclasses, lectures, scholarships, bursaries, and mentoring schemes in the UK and North America, BAFTA identifies and celebrates excellence while nurturing new screen talent and enabling creative collaboration.
The ceremony will be broadcast at 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK, and on E! in North America at 8:00pm Eastern Time. The awards will also be available on various other broadcasters internationally, ensuring global access to this prestigious event.
