At the glittering 2026 BAFTA Awards held at London's Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, Hollywood icon Leonardo DiCaprio offered a sheepish thumbs-up after yet another disappointment, failing to secure a win despite his historic nomination record. The 51-year-old star, now the most-nominated actor in BAFTA history with seven career nods, has only triumphed once before, back in 2016 for his role in The Revenant.
Shock Victory for Robert Aramayo
In a stunning upset, the Best Actor award went to Robert Aramayo for his performance in I Swear, beating both DiCaprio and the heavily favoured Timothée Chalamet, who was nominated for Marty Supreme. Aramayo's father erupted with joy in the audience, leaping to his feet as his son's name was announced. Mere minutes earlier, Aramayo had also claimed the EE BAFTA Rising Star prize, the sole award determined by public vote.
DiCaprio's BAFTA History
DiCaprio's nominations span acclaimed films including The Aviator, The Departed, The Wolf of Wall Street, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Don't Look Up. His latest project, One Battle After Another, emerged as the evening's big winner, scooping six awards from a record-breaking 14 nominations, though it did not deliver the Best Actor honour for its lead star.
Big Winners and Losers
One Battle After Another secured the Best Film award, with director Paul Thomas Anderson expressing gratitude during his acceptance speech. He praised the collaborative process, particularly highlighting DiCaprio's intense dedication. "With Leo, it's one long run-on sentence," Anderson remarked. "He wants to take the whole thing apart and put it back together again, covering every possibility. His understanding of the entire story is his superpower."
Conversely, Marty Supreme left empty-handed despite entering the night with 11 nominations. Meanwhile, Jessie Buckley earned the Best Actress award for Hamnet, delivering an emotional speech where she thanked her agent and fellow nominees, momentarily forgetting to mention Kate Hudson.
Key Award Highlights
The ceremony saw several notable victories across categories. Sean Penn won Supporting Actor for One Battle After Another, while Wunmi Mosaku took Supporting Actress for Sinners. Zootropolis 2 claimed the Animated Film award, and Ludwig Göransson won Original Score for Sinners.
Emotional Moments and Reflections
Aramayo, visibly overwhelmed, dedicated his Best Actor win to his family and the I Swear team, recalling how Ethan Hawke's advice during his school days had profoundly impacted him. Buckley reflected on her journey from a "little girl" who never imagined making films to standing on the BAFTA stage, honouring the women who inspired her.
As the stars departed, DiCaprio maintained a brave face ahead of his upcoming Oscar nomination, while Anderson joked about finding a bar to celebrate. The 2026 BAFTAs will be remembered for its surprises, emotional speeches, and the continuing saga of DiCaprio's elusive BAFTA success.
