Hamnet Takes Outstanding British Film Award!

Hamnet was among the big winners at the 2026 British Academy Film Awards on Sunday night, despite star Paul Mescal missing out on his honour.

The heartbreaking Chloe Zhao film was awarded the coveted honour of Outstanding British Film, beating out acclaimed hits including I Swear and The Ballad of Wallis Island. 

And 12-years-old child stars Jacobi Jupe and Olivia Lynes looked overjoyed as they shared a sweet hug on stage at The Royal Festival Hall as they joined the cast on stage.

Presented by rapper Stormzy, director Sam Mendes said that the process of making the film, based on the book by Maggie O'Farrell, had been 'just wonderful for everyone involved in it.'

He added: 'I have to shout out to my co-producer Steven Spielberg for his commitment to film and to film makers, and for loving this movie from the very start.' 

Jacobi and Olivia couldn't contain their smiles as they proudly stood behind Sam with Paul and Chloé wrapping their arms around them. 

Hamnet was among the big winners at the 2026 British Academy Film Awards on Sunday night, despite star Paul Mescal missing out on his honour

The heartbreaking Chloe Zhao film was awarded the coveted honour of Outstanding British Film, beating out acclaimed hits including I Swear and The Ballad of Wallis Island

Despite praise for his performance as a young William Shakespear, leading star Paul failed to win the award for Supporting Actor, losing out to Sean Penn for his role in One Battle After Another.

The actor, who was also snubbed during Oscar nominations, made his red carpet debut with girlfriend Gracie Abrams at the BAFTAs. 

The couple packed on the PDA on the red carpet as the singer-songwriter wowed in a backless black patterned dress as she gave the Irish actor a kiss on the cheek before they both looked lovingly into each other's eyes.

However it was Jessie Buckley who won the big award of the evening as she bagged Best Actress for her role in Hamnet. 

Jessie, who is already tipped as a favourite to win the Oscar for Best Actress, used her acceptance speech to thank her fellow nominees.

She said: 'This is really such an incredible honour. As a little girl I never thought in a million years I would be allowed to make a film but here I am. 

'When I arrived into my agent Lindy King in London, and I had nuclear bad fake tan on, white hoop earrings, a polka dot red skirt and dress, and I had the audacity to say to her that I dreamed to someday be something like Judi Dench. 

'I don't know how on gods green earth she even dreamed that was possible. Thank you Lindy for always encouraging me to be disobedient and curious and human.

And 12-years-old child stars Jacobi Jupe and Olivia Lynes looked overjoyed as they joined the stars on stage at The Royal Festival Hall

Jacobi and Olivia couldn't contain their smiles as they proudly with Paul, Chloé and Sam

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BAFTAs 2026 winners: One Battle After Another dominates with six gongs as Jessie Buckley wins

'This really does belong to the women who have taught me and continue to teach me how to do it differently.'

Thanking her fellow nominees, Jessie forgot to include Kate Hudson and asked the audience: 'Who have I left out?' 

She then added 'I am in awe of all your incredible performances thank you.' 

'Maggie O'Farrell thank you for this role. You brought the mother out of the shadows and stood her next to that absolute giant that is Shakespeare.'

Elsewhere during the night, One Battle After Another was the big winner at the 2026 British Academy Film Awards, as it scooped six gongs during the ceremony.

The Paul Thomas Anderson hit had already received a record 14 nominations, and came out on top as it won Best Film, Best Director, Adapted Screenplay, Supporting Actor, Cinematography and Editing.

The night wasn't without surprises, as Timothee Chalamet missed out on Best Actor to a home-grown favourite.

Despite being tipped as a favourite for the honour for his role in Marty Supreme, Timothee lost out on the prize to I Swear star Robert Aramayo.

As One Battle For Another was awarded Best Film, producer Sarah Murphy said: 'We wish more than anything that our producing partner Adam Somner could be here to accept this on behalf of us on his home turf.'

Director and producer Paul Thomas Anderson said: 'Thank you for rewarding our film in the way that you have, its just a tremendous honour. 

Despite praise for his performance as a young William Shakespear, star Paul failed to win the award for Supporting Actor, losing out to Sean Penn for his role in One Battle After Another

The actor, who was also snubbed during Oscar nominations, made his red carpet debut with girlfriend Gracie Abrams at the BAFTAs

However it was Jessie Buckley who won the big award of the evening as she bagged Best Actress for her role in Hamnet

'I'm well aware of the other films that share this. Anybody that says movies aren't any good any more they can piss off because this is just a great f*****g year.'

He added that he planned to go and find a 'bar somewhere to go celebrate.'

The biggest loser of the evening was the highly acclaimed ping pong drama Marty Supreme, which went into the evening as one of the favourites, with 11 nominations. It came away completely empty-handed.

Meanwhile viewers, and guest in attendance, were stunned when it was announced that Robert had been awarded Best Actor for I Swear, beating out Hollywood heavyweights Timothee and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Upon learning of his son's honour, Robert's father jumped to his feet and was shouting and jumping up and down when his son's name was read.

From the stage, Aramayo said: 'I absolutely can't believe this. I can't believe I'm looking at people like you never mind that I'm stood here. 

He added: 'I honestly cannot believe that I have won this award I really cannot. Everyone in this category blows me away.'

'When I was in school Ethan Hawke came to speak to us at Juillard and he gave an amazing talk on longevity as an actor, protecting your instrument and avoiding self destructiove behaviours, it had an incredible impact on every one in that room.'

Mere minutes before that gong, Robert had been awarded the EE BAFTA Rising Star prize, the only award voted for by members of the public.