The Underdog Contender Who Could Topple Hollywood's Favourite at the Baftas
As the 2026 Bafta Awards approach, all eyes are on the fiercely competitive Best Actor category. While Timothée Chalamet stands as the clear favourite for his role in Marty Supreme, there's growing buzz around a brilliant British underdog who could stage a major upset.
A Star-Studded Lineup With One Surprise Inclusion
The Best Actor nominees represent Hollywood's elite: Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan, Ethan Hawke, and Jesse Plemons. Among these established names sits Robert Aramayo, whose nomination for I Swear surprised some observers but delighted those familiar with his remarkable performance.
Chalamet received his fourth acting nomination for his breathless portrayal in Josh Safdie's table tennis drama Marty Supreme, which earned an impressive 11 nominations overall. Having triumphed at the Golden Globes earlier this month and being tipped for Oscar success, Chalamet enters the ceremony as the strong favourite.
Why Aramayo's Performance Demands Recognition
In I Swear, widely regarded as one of 2025's finest films, Aramayo portrays real-life figure John Davidson. The film follows a young boy who developed severe Tourette's syndrome during the 1980s, when public understanding of the condition was minimal.
Aramayo's performance has been described as perfection, balancing emotional depth with subtle comedy to create the film's beating heart. It's the kind of transformative work that typically launches actors to superstardom and commands award recognition.
The actor's journey to nomination was particularly noteworthy. His performance was among 108 submissions for Bafta consideration. After progressing to the longlist, voters watched I Swear and clearly appreciated what they saw, propelling him to the final shortlist.
Historical Precedent for Underdog Victories
Bafta has form for rewarding unexpected winners against more famous competition. In 2022, Joanna Scanlon surprised audiences by beating Lady Gaga, Alana Haim, and Tessa Thompson to win Best Actress for independent drama After Love.
There's growing sentiment that Aramayo could replicate this pattern, potentially snatching the gold from the presumed favourite. As Bafta CEO Jane Millichip told The Independent: "If you are nominated for a Bafta, you have every chance of winning. You're down to a very small, very special list of people."
From Fantasy Epics to Award Contention
While relatively new to leading film roles, Aramayo brings substantial experience to his performance. His credits include playing a young Eddard Stark in Game of Thrones and appearing in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
Currently, audiences can see him on stage in Guess How Much I Love You? at London's Royal Court Theatre, demonstrating his versatility across mediums. This theatrical run coincides perfectly with his awards campaign, keeping him in the public eye as voting concludes.
The stage is set for what could be one of the most dramatic moments of the 2026 Bafta ceremony. While Chalamet remains the bookmakers' choice, Aramayo's powerful, emotionally resonant performance in I Swear makes him a genuine threat for what would be a remarkable underdog victory.
