Photo: Mike Marsland/WireImage
In something of a shocker, Robert Aramayo won Lead Actor at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards for his performance in I Swear. He beat frontrunners in the Oscars race, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan, and Timothée Chalamet. “I absolutely can’t believe it, I can’t believe that I’m looking at people like you, in the same category as you, never mind that I’m stood here,” Aramayo said in his acceptance speech. “I honestly cannot believe that I have won this award. I really, really cannot. Everyone in this category blows me away.”
Aramayo specifically thanked his fellow nominee Ethan Hawke for a talk he gave when Aramayo was at Julliard. “He gave an amazing talk on longevity as an actor, about protecting your instrument and avoiding self destructive behaviors,” he said. “And it had a really great impact on everyone in that room. So to be in this category with you tonight is incredible. Thank you Ethan.” Hawke was nominated for his performance of Lorenz Hart in Blue Moon.
I Swear is a biopic about John Davidson, a Tourette’s advocate in the U.K. Davidson appeared at the BAFTAs, but had to step out of the ceremony due to his tics. Alan Cumming addressed the “strong language” audience members may have heard during the broadcast. “You may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourette’s Syndrome shows up for some people,” he said. “Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.” Cumming later re-addressed the tics, underscoring that they are completely involuntary: “Tourette’s Syndrome is a disability and the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette’s Syndrome has no control over their language. We apologize if you are offended tonight.”
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