Baftas 2026: Hamnet's Jessie Buckley and I Swear's Robert Aramayo win big
BBC World
February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The 2026 Bafta Awards saw British actor Robert Aramayo make history by winning both Best Actor and Rising Star categories for his role in *I Swear*, which highlights John Davidson's lived experience with Tourette's syndrome. Meanwhile, Jessie Buckley claimed Best Actress honors for her powerful portrayal of Agnes in *Hamnet*, marking the first win for an Irish actress in this category. The ceremony, held at London’s Southbank Centre, also featured a standout performance by *One Battle After Another*, which swept six awards including Best Film and Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson.
The film’s success was partly overshadowed by strong language during the ceremony due to involuntary tics associated with Tourette's syndrome, as depicted in *I Swear*. Aramayo, who plays Davidson, emotionalized his wins, calling them "unbelievable," while also sharing the stage with the Prince and Princess of Wales. The event highlighted the growing momentum for *One Battle After Another*, which had already won at the Golden Globes and Critics' Choice Awards.
The Bafta ceremony underscored the global appeal of British cinema and its ability to compete with Hollywood heavyweights like
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/22/2026