Coltrane in running for Bafta TV glory
● Scottish star nominated for role as comic facing historic sex charges
Robbie Coltrane is in the running for glory at the Bafta TV Awards - for his portrayal of a former comedy star accused of historical sex crimes.
The Glasgow-born actor, who starred alongside Julie Walters in Channel 4 series National Treasure, will be up against Benedict Cumberbatch for his role in the BBC historical The Hollow Crown.
Coltrane, a previous Bafta winner for his role as a criminal psychologist in the crime drama Cracker, is one of four contenders in the best leading actor category.
He has also helped National Treasure win a nomination for best mini-series for next month’s awards.
In National Treasure, Coltrane’s character Paul Finchley’s life is turned upside down when he is arrested after an accusation of rape dating back to the 1990s, before a series of allegations are made against him. He is cleared of all charges only for viewers to discover that Finchley was guilty.
Speaking about his decision to take on the role before the series was aired in September, Coltrane said: “I believe with all my soul that it’s the job of drama to deal with things that the judiciary’s not very good at, the police aren’t very good at, the politicians aren’t very good at, the civil service aren’t very good at.
“All of us involved in it are really proud of it. And I think it’s important to deal with these issues in some way and help people understand them. And hopefully to prevent it from happening again. Because you’re really doing it for the victims. A lot of people’s lives have been ruined by this kind of stuff. You have to do it right out of respect for them.”
Netflix royal drama The Crown leads the race for Bafta honours, with five nominations, including best drama series and Claire Foy as best leading actress.
Foy’s rivals for the award include Nikki Amuka-bird for NW, Jodie Comer for Thirteen and Sarah Lancashire for the Yorkshire-set crime series Happy Valley.
It will be competing with The Crown, The Durrells, which is based on author Gerald Durrell’s semi-autobiographical books about living on Corfu, and the BBC’S latest adaptation of War and Peace in the best drama series category.
Also in the running for their performances in The Crown are Jared Harris, John Lithgow and Vanessa Kirby.
Damilola, Our Leading Boy, a drama about the murder of ten-year-old Damilola Taylor in London in 2000, also has three nominations, including a leading actor nod for star Babou Ceesay.
Also up for three honours is Fleabag, Phoebe Wallerbridge’s hit BBC comedy, which started life as one-woman show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2013, and is returning to the event this summer.
Olivia Colman is up against Fleabag co-star Waller-bridge for the prize for the best female performance in a comedy programme.
Harry Enfield and Steve Coogan are among the contenders in the equivalent category for male performers.
Strictly Come Dancing star Claudia Winkleman will be up against comics Graham Norton, Michael Mcintyre and Adam Hills for best entertainment performance. Ed Balls’ Gagnam Style routine on Strictly is up for “must see moment” of the year.
The winners will be announced on 14 May.