FROM BAD TO DIVERSE
AFTER YEARS OF ALL-WHITE BAFTAS, THE WINNERS ARE FEMALE, BLACK, ASIAN... AND A HISTORY-MAKING SIR ANTHONY, 83
AND the award goes to... diversity at last as Asian, black, female and older talent swept the major gongs at last night’s remote EE Baftas.
Following strong criticism of allwhite nominees in previous years, the winner’s circle at London’s Royal Albert Hall followed a major shake-up which ensured equal opportunity.
In a historic first, the night’s top prize went to a Chinese woman who was named best director – a category traditionally dominated by men.
Chloé Zhao, 39, won for Nomadland and said her former teachers at Brighton College would be ‘so proud’.
Sir Anthony Hopkins, 83, became the oldest-ever best actor winner when he triumphed for his role in The Father.
Best actress Frances McDormand, 63, won her second Bafta for Nomadland, which went on to land best film.
Londoner Daniel Kaluuya, 32, was best supporting actor for Judas And The Black Messiah, describing the honour as ‘a vibe’. Another Asian woman to be honoured was Korean star Youn Yuh-jung, 73, best supporting actress for Minari. She offered her condolences over the death of Bafta’s first president, the Duke of Edinburgh.
She then said: ‘Every award is meaningful but especially this one. British people are known as very snobbish people and they approve of me as a good actor, so I’m very privileged and happy.’ Stunned co-host Dermot O’Leary responded: ‘Don’t know how to add to that… thanks.’
Rocks actress Bukky Bakray, 19, won the EE Rising Star award, where her fellow nominees included One Night In Miami star Kingsley Ben-Adir. The Bafta Fellowship, presented by Hugh Grant, went to 66-year-old Ang Lee.
Liam Payne opened the show with a high-tech virtual performance. Presenters included Renée Zellweger, Tom Hiddleston, Felicity Jones, Anna Kendrick and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.