The Bafta film awards were a night to remember, with Oppenheimer taking home the most awards. David Tennant brought along a dog, Barry Keoghan expressed his admiration for Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph flirted with Chiwetel Ejiofor. Here are some highlights from the ceremony and behind-the-scenes moments.
Despite no British male actors being nominated for best actor or supporting actor, the Brits received plenty of love from American stars like Emma Stone and Robert Downey Jr. Stone thanked her dialect coach during her acceptance speech for best actress in Poor Things, while Downey Jr credited his award to Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan’s “British sensibility”.
US comedian and actor Keegan-Michael Key presented an award in an English accent, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph, a self-proclaimed Anglophile, shared her love for British theatre. She started her career in London’s West End and studied at the British American Drama Academy in Oxford.
Randolph also won the award for best supporting actress for her role in The Holdovers. She complimented Ejiofor’s good looks as she accepted her award, and delivered an emotional speech about her character.
Cillian Murphy, the first Irish-born performer to win a best actor Bafta, thanked his “Oppenhomies” during his acceptance speech. Host David Tennant was a hit with his enthusiasm and humor, and even brought a dog to the Baftas.
Michael J Fox made a surprise appearance to present the award for best picture, receiving a standing ovation. The Zone of Interest, a film about the head of Auschwitz, won three awards including outstanding British film.
Samantha Morton, who grew up in the care system, received this year’s Bafta Fellowship. She dedicated her award to every child in care or who has been in care and didn’t survive.
There was controversy over Matthew Perry not being included in the In Memoriam segment, but Bafta said he would be included in the obituary montage for its television awards in May.
