Gary Oldman bagged the Best Actor award at the BAFTA Film Awards last night (February 18), beating Daniel Day-Lewis in a race that will be replayed next month at the Oscars.
The two critically-acclaimed actors take roles sporadically, so it’s unusual that they should both have films out in the same year. Gary was famously transformed into wartime leader Winston Churchill for The Darkest Hour, while Sir Daniel did his customary deep dive into the role of enigmatic fashion designer Reynolds Woodcock for Phantom Thread.
It was Gary’s performance that carried the day, however, for the first time at the BAFTAs. New host Joanna Lumley had a downright Patsy-esque message for him and all the other winners:
Congratulations to all of tonight's winners from us and our fabulous host @JoannaLumley! #EEBAFTAs pic.twitter.com/8Xq7OskBcq
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 19, 2018
Get Out‘s Daniel Kaluuya gave heartfelt thanks to his mom when he was named this year’s Rising Star:
Daniel Kaluuya makes an emotional #EERisingStar acceptance speech dedicated to his mum
#EEBAFTAs pic.twitter.com/vsIlF1uWTd
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 19, 2018
Here’s a look at Daniel taking the stage on the big night:
The other acting awards went to Frances McDormand, who won Best Leading Actress for Three Billboards in Ebbing, Missouri, Sam Rockwell, who won Best Supporting Actor for his work in the same film, and Alison Janney, who won Best Supporting Actress for her work in I, Tonya.
While hearts further melted when James Ivory, of Merchant Ivory fame, won Best Adapted Screenplay for Call Me by Your Name at the age of 89, and was helped to the stage by its star Timothée Chalamet:
Timothee Chamalet may have missed out on the Rising Star award but he's made a smashing recovery by scooping up the Polite Young Gentlemen award #BAFTA
— Clem Fandango (@JamesDHerring) February 18, 2018
Three Billboards was by far the runaway success of the night, winning a total of five awards, including Best Film and Best British Film, due to its British director Martin McDonagh (In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths).
The BAFTA results will strengthen its chances at the Academy Awards in two weeks, against other big hitters The Shape of Water and Dunkirk — although it’s worth noting that BAFTA’s last three best films have not gone on to win the Oscar for Best Picture.
Also yet to be seen is whether Daniel Day-Lewis will pick up his fourth and final Oscar, having missed out on a final BAFTA before retiring from the acting world.
The BBC has a full list of all this year’s BAFTA winners.
Is Gary Oldman your pick for the Best Actor Oscar this year?