Robert Aramayo Delivers Shock Best Actor Win at Baftas 2026
The 2026 Bafta Film Awards, held at London's Royal Festival Hall, delivered a major surprise as Robert Aramayo triumphed in the Best Actor category, overcoming heavyweights Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet. Aramayo's victory for his role in I Swear, a biographical drama about John Davidson, a Scottish man with severe Tourette's syndrome, capped off a night of unexpected twists and emotional moments.
Ceremony Highlights and Major Winners
Hosted by Alan Cumming, the ceremony saw One Battle After Another emerge as the big winner, securing six awards including Best Picture. The film, which led nominations with 14, was closely followed by Sinners with 13 nods. Other notable contenders included Marty Supreme and Hamnet, each with 11 nominations.
In the Best Actress category, Jessie Buckley claimed the prize for her performance in Hamnet, delivering a heartfelt speech about her journey from aspiring actress to Bafta winner. Meanwhile, Paul Thomas Anderson took home Best Director for One Battle After Another, marking his second speech of the evening.
Aramayo's Emotional Acceptance Speech
Robert Aramayo's win was met with widespread astonishment, as he bested not only DiCaprio and Chalamet but also other acclaimed nominees. In his acceptance speech, Aramayo expressed disbelief and gratitude, stating, "I honestly cannot believe I've won this award. Everyone in this category blows me away." He shared an inspiring anecdote about meeting Ethan Hawke during his studies at Juilliard, highlighting the significance of the moment.
Aramayo also received the EE Rising Star Award earlier in the night, further cementing his breakout status. His dual wins brought attention to I Swear and its portrayal of Tourette's syndrome, with Bafta handling John Davidson's presence and tics sensitively during the ceremony.
Other Key Moments and Awards
The evening featured several poignant segments, including an In Memoriam montage accompanied by Jessie Ware's performance of "The Way We Were," honouring film industry legends such as Diane Keaton and Gene Hackman. Prince William presented the Bafta Fellowship Award to Donna Langley, chair of Universal Pictures, in recognition of her contributions to cinema.
Hamnet won Outstanding British Film, with Sam Mendes accepting the award on behalf of the production team. Norway's Sentimental Value made history as the first Norwegian film to win the Film Not in the English Language category.
Ceremony Tone and Final Thoughts
Alan Cumming's hosting was marked by a monologue celebrating diversity and inclusion, though the event was described as lacking the usual scandal or humour associated with awards shows. Despite this, the 2026 Baftas provided memorable moments, from Aramayo's upset victory to Buckley's touching speech, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the film awards season.
