No plans to ‘roast’ the A-list as Richard E. Grant hosts BAFTAs
It’s British film’s big night on Sunday. Rachael Popow reveals what’s in store for movie fans
Awards season is truly upon us. Last week, we had the BRIT Awards, celebrating the best in British music, and this week it’s the movie industry’s turn with the British Academy Film Awards.
Not that the event is just a celebration of UK talent as a look at the nominations will prove. In fact, it’s the Germanlanguage All Quiet on the Western Front that leads the pack with 14 nominations.
Following close behind is the darkly funny The Banshees of Inisherin (which is the running for Outstanding British Film but has an Irish cast and setting), and the mind-bending, Everything Everywhere All at Once with 10 each, then rock ‘n’ roll biopic Elvis has nine.
That reflects the eclectic nature of this year’s awards, something that host Richard E Grant is particularly pleased about. He says: “I feel hugely privileged to be hosting the EE Baftas for the first time and to have the opportunity to celebrate the very best of the extraordinary range of this year’s films.”
The 65-year-old actor – known for films like Withnail And I, Gosford Park and Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker, says he was “amazed” to be in the company of comedians Stephen Fry, Graham Norton and Rebel Wilson, who have been hosts.
Last year Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids actress Rebel made risque jokes about the royal family, Vladimir Putin, the gender pay gap, her flop film Cats and her weight loss.
But Richard, who was nominated for a Bafta and an Oscar for his role in Can You Ever Forgive Me? in 2019, says organisers of the Baftas know he is not going to “roast” fellow actors at the weekend.
He says: “(Bafta organisers) must know that I’m going to be a celebratory person rather than somebody who’s there to roast other actors so hopefully, that’s (going to) work out, I don’t know yet.”
This year’s TV broadcast also includes what is being described as ‘an immersive
and access-all-areas experience’, which Alison Hammond will be helming.
“We’re going to have a lot of fun bringing the glitz and glam of backstage to everyone watching at home around the world. From hanging out with the stars to celebrating the biggest night for cinema, and joining the discussions with film fans, get ready for good vibes only,” says the This Morning presenter.
But who is she likely to be congratulating or commiserating with? The leading actor nominees are Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin), Austin Butler (Elvis), Brendan Fraser (The Whale), Paul Mescal (Aftersun), and Bill Nighy (Living). They are also all in the running for the Oscar, but the wildcard in this category is Daryl McCormack for surpise hit Good Luck to
You, Leo Grande. When it comes to Best Actress, Daryl’s co-star Emma Thompson is up against Ana de Armas (Blonde), Viola Davis (The Woman King), Danielle Deadwyler (Till), Cate Blanchett (Tar) and Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once).
Meanwhile, Best Film is a battle between All Quiet on the Western Front, The Banshees of Inisherin, Tar, Elvis and Everything Everywhere All at Once. The public get to have their say with the EE Rising Star Award, where the nominees are Naomi Ackie, Sheila Atim, Emma Mackey, Daryl McCormack and Aimee Lou Wood. Previous winners include Tom Hardy, Tom Holland and Daniel Kaluuya.
Also, for the first time, the last four awards – EE Rising Star, Leading Actor, Leading Actress and Best Film will be broadcast live.
British Academy Film Awards, BBC1, Sunday, 7pm