Leonardo DiCaprio faced an unforeseen loss at the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards held at The Royal Festival Hall in London, just weeks before the Oscars. The event, which celebrates outstanding achievements in film, saw DiCaprio competing for the Best Leading Actor award against strong contenders including Timothée Chalamet, Michael B. Jordan, Ethan Hawke, and Jesse Plemons.
In a surprising turn, Robert Aramayo, a relatively lesser-known actor, won the Best Leading Actor honor, surpassing DiCaprio and the other nominees. This upset marked a significant moment in the ceremony given DiCaprio’s status in Hollywood and his strong track record at major awards.
Robert Aramayo’s Rise and Remarkable Acceptance Speech
Robert Aramayo, recognized previously for his role as the young Eddard Stark in Game of Thrones, made a striking impression at the event. At 33 years old, he was also awarded the EE Rising Star honor for his praised performance in the film I Swear, which focused on Tourette’s syndrome.
Upon accepting the Best Leading Actor trophy, Aramayo looked toward DiCaprio and said,
I can’t believe that I’m looking at you and I’m in the same category as you.
– Robert Aramayo
This statement underscored Aramayo’s humility and the surprise within the industry at his victory over such an established figure.
Other Major Wins and Performances Highlighted at the Ceremony
Although DiCaprio missed out on the leading actor prize, his film One Battle After Another was recognized with the Best Film award, beating out nominees like Marty Supreme, Sinners, Hamnet, and Sentimental Value. This suggests strong overall recognition for the movie despite the individual acting setback.
Irish actress Jessie Buckley won Best Leading Actress for her role in Hamnet, prevailing over competitors such as Rose Byrne, Emma Stone, Kate Hudson, Chase Infiniti, and Renate Reinsve. In the supporting categories, Sean Penn received Best Supporting Actor, while Wunmi Mosaku earned Best Supporting Actress honors, leaving other notable performers like Benicio Del Toro, Jacob Elordi, Paul Mescal, Stellan Skarsgard, Peter Mullen, Odessa A’zion, Carey Mulligan, Inga Ibsdotter Lileaas, Teyana Taylor, and Emily Watson without awards.
Hamnet also won Best British Film, outpacing five other strong contenders including 28 Years Later and Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy.
Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner’s Appearance at the Gala
Timothée Chalamet, a frontrunner for the upcoming Best Actor Oscar for Marty Supreme, attended the BAFTAs with his partner Kylie Jenner. While Kylie chose not to walk the red carpet, she accompanied Timothée inside the venue to watch the awards ceremony. This marked their second appearance at the BAFTAs as a couple, following their attendance in 2025.
The pair coordinated their attire in sophisticated black ensembles, with Timothée wearing a tailored Givenchy suit and Kylie opting for a form-fitting black dress featuring silver diamanté detailing. Their presence added notable star power to the event.
Looking Ahead to the Oscars and Future Recognition
With the BAFTA results fresh, the attention now shifts to the Oscars, scheduled for March 15. Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, and Michael B. Jordan remain leading contenders for the Best Actor category, based on their acclaimed work in One Battle After Another, Marty Supreme, and Sinners, respectively. The BAFTA outcome introduces an element of unpredictability as the industry awaits the final Oscar verdicts.
The surprising victory of Robert Aramayo at the BAFTAs highlights emerging talent and could signal a shift in award season momentum, possibly influencing how voters consider both established icons and rising stars.
