Emily Bashforth
Published February 22, 2026 4:32pm
Updated February 22, 2026 8:40pm
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The 2026 Baftas are here, and the stars are lining the carpet (Picture: Getty)
The 2026 Baftas have arrived, with some of the biggest names in film donning their finery to celebrate the epic releases of the last 12 months.
And Paddington is in attendance, of course.
Walking the red carpet tonight for the 79th outing of the prestigious awards were stars of the big hitters, such as One Battle After Another, as the Leonardo DiCaprio action thriller lead the charge with an epic 14 nominations.
Cast and crew from 13-time nominee Sinners also came out in force, along with Marty Supreme (which is expected to win Timothee Chalamet his first leading actor Oscar) and the Golden Globe-winning historical drama Hamnet, both of which sat just behind with 11 nominations each.
Tonight, Alan Cumming hosted the film ceremony in the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London, taking the baton from David Tennant – and sporting some fabulous fringed attire.
He presented in front of some of the industry’s biggest names, with Chalamet unexpectedly defeated in major categories as Kylie Jenner sat by his side, poised for a celebratory smooch.
Marty Supreme’s Timothee Chalamet has had a hugely successful awards season so far (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)
Girlfriend Kylie Jenner joined him inside for a cosy date night (Picture: Carlo Paloni/Bafta via Getty Images)
Having skipped the red carpet, she waited for him inside (Picture: Scott Garfitt/Bafta via Getty Images)
Leonardo DiCaprio’s One Battle After Another lead the charge with the most nominations tonight (Picture: Tristan Fewings/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)
Jessie Buckley has earned high praise for her role in Hamnet, in which she plays Shakespeare’s wife, Agnes (Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)
The Dune star has been flaunting his romance with the Kylie Cosmetics founder, 28, at the likes of the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards so far this year, having started quietly dating in 2023 before taking their PDA public in the boldest ways.
And while he initially appeared to be flying solo at the Baftas, his other half was waiting inside.
Looking as slick as ever, the 30-year-old movie heartthrob posed in all black, while his other half gave the carpet a miss before joining him in their seats.
The ‘It’ couple sat front and centre in 2025, holding hands as she supported him for his role at the time, playing a young Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown.
And this year is no different, as Jenner cosied up to her man as she wore a low-cut fitted gown with gem detailing across the chest.
Hot off his Taylor Swift music video cameo, Cillian Murphy made an appearance holding hands with wife Yvonne McGuinness (Picture: Aurore Marechal/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)
Sentimental Value star Stellan Skarsgard stood proudly with his wife, Megan Everett-Skarsgard (Picture: James Manning/PA Wire)
Paul Mescal and singer girlfriend Gracie Abrams flaunted their romance (Picture: Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Having hosted last year’s TV awards, Alan Cumming hosts the film ceremony for the first time (Picture: Kate Green/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)
Reality TV icon Jenner’s appearance this time comes amid swirling rumours of Chalamet planning to propose three years into their relationship, with sources claiming it’s something they have ‘discussed’ privately.
DiCaprio, 51, was among other later arrivals in his classic white shirt and bow tie combo, while Hamnet actress Jessie Buckley, 36, injected colour with an electric blue gown.
The Irish performer plays Shakespeare’s wife, Agnes, in Chloé Zhao’s historical drama, a portrayal that has already won her a Golden Globe.
And while Chalamet and Jenner failed to deliver on their lovey-dovey antics, best supporting actor nominee Paul Mescal and songwriter Gracie Abrams made up for it with a sweet joint red carpet walk, while Cillian Murphy and his wife, Yvonne McGuinness, held hands.
Jupe brothers and Hamnet stars Jacobi and Noah put on a sweet display on the carpet (Picture: Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Jack O’Connell played vampire Remmick in Sinners, which received 13 nominations (Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)
Michael B. Jordan joined his Sinners co-stars to celebrate the film (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)
Song Sung Blue’s Kate Hudson looked radiant in red (Picture: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock)
Emma Stone looked as chic as ever in a simple yet daring black dress (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)
Sentimental Value star Stellan Skarsgard also stood proudly with his wife of 17 years, Megan, while Hamnet siblings Jacobi and Noah Jupe were feeling the brotherly love as they wrapped arms around one another.
Among the early arrivals was musician Jessie Ware in a vibrant yellow number, who performed a Barbra Streisand cover for the In Memoriam segment, plus Wake Up Dead Man star Kerry Washington, who presented a gong.
Fresh from taking the US by storm with her various appearances in recent weeks, Maura Higgins also oozed glamour in a red satin gown, as Sadie Sink followed suit in a strapless sage green number.
Adolesence actress Erin Doherty prioritised fashion over practicality with a sculptural pleated skirt forming cone shapes from Louis Vuitton, while If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’s Rose Byrne adhered to the demure pastel yellow trend.
Jessie Ware arrived in vibrant yellow ahead of singing for the In Memoriam segment (Picture: Aurore Marechal/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)
Award presenter Kerry Washington stunned in a flowing gown (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)
He was previously tipped for Bond, and Rege-James Bond looked every inch 007 in his smart attire (Picture: Tristan Fewings/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)
No award show would be complete without Paddington Bear, right? (Picture: Aurore Marechal/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)
Stranger Things actress Sadie Sink looked ethereal in a sage satin gown (Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)
Other attendees included Song Sung Blue lead Kate Hudson (styled by Sophie Lopez and wearing dazzling Chaumet jewellery), Bugonia’s Emma Stone in custom LV, and iconic designer Vera Wang, who, at 76, continues to wow with her ageless appearance in dramatic sunnies and high-fashion looks.
Putting on a brave smile, Patrick Dempsey had the support of his 24-year-old daughter, Talula, just days after the death of his friend and Grey’s Anatomy co-star, Eric Dane.
Dane died aged 53 on Thursday, his loved ones announced, less than a year after revealing his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis.
Dempsey, 60, said in his radio tribute that he was ‘very sad’ to hear the news, declaring Dane the ‘funniest man’ who was ‘wickedly intelligent’ and brought ‘joy’ to people’s lives.
The Prince and Princess of Wales returned to the ceremony to represent the Royal Family (Picture: Reuters)
Patrick Dempsey was supported by daughter Talula following Eric Dane’s death (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)
He stood smiling tonight, wearing a black one-and-a-half-breasted tuxedo and accessories from Brunello Cucinelli.
For the royals, the Prince of Wales, who became Bafta’s fifth president in 2010 and has been to multiple ceremonies since his appointment, was accompanied by the Princess of Wales for the first time in three years.
This is also their first public showing since Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest.
Tonight’s ceremony aired on BBC One at 7pm until 9pm, having taken place earlier in the evening.
Presenters in various categories included Aimee Lou Wood, Bryan Cranston, Gillian Anderson, Ethan Hawke, Glenn Close, Stormzy, and Warwick Davis.
Swedish actress Alicia Vikander waved to fans as she made a regal entrance in an embellished dress with cut-outs (Picture: Tristan Fewings/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)
Renate Reinsve, who plays Nora Borg in Sentimental Value, flashed her abs with a daring outfit (Picture: Aurore Marechal/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)
US Traitors star Maura Higgins oozed glamour in red (Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)
As for musical numbers, Jae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, who voice the group Huntr/X in KPop Demon Hunters, took to the stage to belt out the huge tune Golden.
Marking their first gig outside of the US since the film soared up the Netflix charts, they’ll also perform at the Brit Awards in Manchester next weekend.
Speaking today on the red carpet, Bafta chairwoman Sara Putt said the UK film industry has enjoyed a ‘glorious’ year with a ‘fabulous’ range of pictures as she geared up to honour them.
She told the Press Association: ‘You look at the best British film nominees – the 10 best British film nominees – and it’s sort of a panoply of British and Irish and international filmmaking, talent, producers, directors, behind the camera, talent, cast.
Adolescence star Erin Doherty’s skirt poses the question: how will she sit down? (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)
Rose Byrne wore the pastel yellow colour of the moment (Picture: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock)
At 76, designer Vera Wang continues to wow with her ageless appearance (Picture: Aurore Marechal/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)
Aimee Lou Wood blew playful kisses to the cameras (Picture: Tristan Fewings/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)
‘Then you put that alongside those big blockbusters: One Battle After Another, Marty Supreme, Sinners; the range is fabulous.
‘It’s been a really good year for watching.’
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And chatting ahead of his hosting gig and what to expect, The Traitors presenter Cumming told the New York Times: ‘You’ve obviously got to be funny, you want to be a little biting, you want to not ignore what is happening in the world.’
‘So many of the films this year, when you watch, you are in a constant state of anxiety,’ he further noted in reference to the likes of Hamnet, One Battle After Another, and Sentimental Value.
Still, the director was keen to celebrate creativity: ‘That’s all it should be.’
Catch up with the Baftas on BBC iPlayer.
Full list of Bafta winners 2026
Best film
One Battle After Another
Best actor
Robert Aramayo - I Swear
Best actress
Jessie Buckley - Hamnet
Outstanding British film
Hamnet
Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer
My Father's Shadow - Akinola Davies Jr (director), Wale Davies (writer)
Best adapted screenplay
One Battle After Another - Paul Thomas Anderson
Best original screenplay
Sinners, Ryan Coogler
Non-English language film
Sentimental Value
Best director
One Battle After Another - Paul Thomas Anderson
Best supporting actress
Wunmi Mosaku - Sinners
Best supporting actor
Sean Penn - One Battle After Another
Best children's and family film
Boong
Best costume
Frankenstein
Special visual effects
Avatar: Fire And Ash
Production design
Frankenstein
Sound
F1
Makeup and hair
Frankenstein
Best original score
Sinners
Best animated film
Zootropolis 2
British short animation
Two Black Boys In Paradise
Best British short film
This Is Endometriosis
Casting
I Swear
Cinematography
One Battle After Another
Editing
One Battle After Another
Best documentary
Mr Nobody Against Putin
Rising star, voted for by the public
Robert Aramayo - I Swear
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