Now for the Oscars! Olivia is Bafta queen
BRITISH film The Favourite swept the board last night as Olivia Colman was hailed Queen of the Baftas.
Colman, 45, added the leading actress prize to her haul of awards as she was given the royal seal of approval by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during the star-studded ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
The Broadchurch star, who already has three Bafta television awards to her name, has seen her portrayal of Queen Anne in the 18th-century black comedy win a raft of accolades.
She previously scooped a Golden Globe and Critic’s Choice award and last night defeated Glenn Close in The Wife, Lady Gaga (A Star Is Born), Melissa McCarthy (Can You Ever Forgive Me?) and Viola Davis (Widows).
She is also hotly tipped to be victorious at the Oscars later this month.
The Favourite triumphed in seven categories, including best supporting actress, won by Rachel Weisz.
It also won the outstanding British film prize, making it the joint third most successful film in Bafta history.
But it missed out on best film – a gong that went to Netflix movie Roma, set in 1970s Mexico. Its director, Alfonso Cuaron, also won a Bafta.
In her winning speech, Colman said: “To my fellow nominees, to be in the same company as you is an extraordinary honour.”
Turning to co-stars Weisz and Emma Stone, she said: “This is for all three of us. It’s got my name on it but we can scratch on some other ones.”
Weisz, 48, who wore a strapless cream dress, said the key to the film’s success was the chemistry between its characters.
“Chemistry isn’t something you make up – you either have it or you don’t – they are glorious women,” she said.
“Didn’t we have an extraordinary time? Hats off, ladies.”
Weisz added that she also wanted to thank “everyone that stood by these three women and their story”.
She said she needed no preparation to kiss costar Olivia during filming because she is “gorgeous”.
She said: “I snogged Olivia Colman. How did I snog Olivia Colman? My mouth met hers, and my mouth opened, and her mouth opened.
“There’s not any preparation involved in kissing someone, I don’t think.”
Lady Gaga was unable to attend last night as she was performing at the Grammys in Los Angeles.
Beforehand, her A Star Is Born costar and director Bradley Cooper expressed his wish that Gaga would be celebrating award success, saying: “Her winning would be amazing.”
Gaga was thrilled that their movie won in the best original music category. She tweeted: “I can’t believe we just won best original music.
“I wish so much I was there but am at the Grammys to show them our love as well.
“We made a film about music. This means the world to me. Thank you to all our fans, we love you so much, we wouldn’t be here without you.”
Cooper added: “You hope you make something that people will react to.”
Bohemian Rhapsody actor Rami Malek, 37, who wore a striking white suit matched with a black shirt for the occasion, won the leading actor category in the Queen film.
He gave a fulsome tribute, saying: “Freddie Mercury is the gift that keeps on giving – he’s huge everywhere.
“He belongs to everyone. I still cannot believe I’m included in this group of actors I so respect and admire. I share this with you guys, I thank my lucky stars.
“It’s quite difficult entering your world in this role as an outsider, you Brits do it so well and it’s not lost on me how sacred your musical heritage is.
“Thank you so very much to Queen, the entire Queen family. I wouldn’t be here without you and to the greatest outsider of them all, for being so unwavering and unflinching and uncompromising in every which way, thank you Freddie Mercury again,” he added.