Hollywood and British talent will converge on London’s Royal Festival Hall this Sunday for the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, the biggest night in the UK film calendar. Hosted by The Traitors US presenter Alan Cumming, the ceremony promises a mix of star power, fierce competition, and a few surprises.
How to Watch
- UK viewers: BBC One and iPlayer at 19:00 GMT.
- US viewers: E! at 20:00 ET. The ceremony begins at 17:00 GMT, meaning winners may surface online before the broadcast airs.
Main Contenders
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another leads with 14 nominations, closely followed by Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet, and Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme.
- Best Actor: Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme) is the favorite, but faces stiff competition from Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), Robert Aramayo (I Swear), and Jesse Plemons (Bugonia).
- Best Actress: Jessie Buckley (Hamnet) is tipped to win, though Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value), Emma Stone (Bugonia), Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another), and Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue) could upset predictions.
- Supporting Roles: Stellan Skarsgård (Sentimental Value) and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Sentimental Value) are frontrunners, while British talent like Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners), Emily Watson (Hamnet), and Carey Mulligan (The Ballad of Wallis Island) are also in contention.
British Talent Spotlight
Robert Aramayo (I Swear) is the only Brit nominated in the lead acting categories and is also up for the EE Rising Star Award. The Outstanding British Film category includes Hamnet, I Swear, 28 Days Later, Pillion, H is for Hawk, and The Ballad of Wallis Island.
Oscar Implications
The BAFTAs often foreshadow Oscar success. In recent years, most BAFTA acting winners have gone on to claim Academy Awards, making Sunday’s results a key indicator for Hollywood’s biggest night.
Performances and Presenters
K-pop group Huntr/X will perform their hit Golden from KPop Demon Hunters, while Jessie Ware will sing during the In Memoriam segment. Presenters include Paddington Bear, Bryan Cranston, Gillian Anderson, Cillian Murphy, Glenn Close, Stormzy, Olivia Cooke, and Kate Hudson. Dame Donna Langley, chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment, will receive the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship. With a star-studded lineup and high-stakes competition, the 2026 BAFTAs are set to deliver drama, glamour, and a glimpse into the Oscars race.
