The Baftas 2026 race reaches its climax as the biggest names in film gather in London. The Baftas 2026 race highlights fierce competition between Hamnet and Sinners. Anticipation surrounds the ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall.
Jessie Buckley leads the conversation for her role in Hamnet. She portrays Agnes Hathaway, the wife of William Shakespeare. Critics have praised her emotional depth throughout the awards season. Many now expect her to claim another major prize.
Hamnet adapts Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel for the big screen. Chloe Zhao directed the project with sweeping ambition. The film secured 11 nominations, setting a new record for a female-directed film in Bafta history.
The nominations include best film and outstanding British film. Zhao also competes in the best director category. Paul Mescal earned a best supporting actor nomination for playing Shakespeare. Emily Watson also received recognition in the supporting actress category.
Meanwhile, One Battle After Another tops the nomination list. Paul Thomas Anderson directed the political drama. The film collected 14 nominations across major categories. Leonardo DiCaprio competes for best actor for his leading role.
Chase Infiniti joins him in the best actress race. Teyana Taylor secured a supporting actress nomination. Sean Penn and Benicio Del Toro both feature in the supporting actor category.
However, Sinners follows closely behind in the Baftas 2026 race. Ryan Coogler directed the historical crime drama with horror elements. The film earned 13 Bafta nominations. It also achieved a record 16 Oscar nominations earlier this year.
Michael B Jordan stars as twins Smoke and Stack Moore. The characters return to 1930s Mississippi to open a juke joint. Jordan competes for best actor for his dual performance. Wunmi Mosaku received a supporting actress nomination for her role.
In addition, Marty Supreme matches Hamnet with 11 nominations. Timothée Chalamet plays an ambitious table tennis player. He competes for best actor, while Josh Safdie vies for best director. The film also stands in the best film category.
British cinema also enjoys strong representation this year. I Swear earned five nominations, including outstanding British film. Robert Aramayo and Peter Mullan both secured acting nods.
Singer Jessie Ware will perform during the In Memoriam tribute. Alan Cumming will host the ceremony in London. As a result, the Baftas 2026 race promises a dramatic and closely fought evening.
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