Hull-based actor Robert Aramayo has stunned the film world after winning the Best Actor award at this year’s Baftas.
The 33-year-old I Swear actor saw off several big-name actors in the same category to secure his second win of the evening after previously being awarded the EE Rising Star gong.
Marty Supreme’s Timothee Chalamet, who’s been tipped for Oscars glory next month, was just one of the big names snubbed by the jury.
One Battle After Another’s Leonardo DiCaprio, Blue Moon’s Ethan Hawke, Sinners’ Michael B Jordan, and Bugonia’s Jesse Plemons also missed out on the award.
Baftas 2026: Robert Aramayo won Best Actor
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Mr Aramayo could barely believe he’d won when his name was read aloud by Kerry Washington, leaping into his father’s arms as his co-stars rushed around him.
The actor became tearful as he made his way to the stage while his fellow nominees applauded gracefully.
“I honestly cannot believe that I have won this award,” Mr Aramayo said as he clutched the gong.
Mr Aramayo, who was recognised for his portrayal of Scottish Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson, thanked fellow nominee Mr Hawke in particular.
Baftas 2026: Robert Aramayo was embraced by his family
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“Everyone in this category blows me away,” he said before turning to the American actor.
“When I was in school, Ethan Hawke came in to speak to us in Julliard and he gave an amazing talk on longevity as an actor, about protecting your instrument and avoiding self-destructive behaviours, and it had a great impact on everyone in the room.
“So to be in this category with you tonight is incredible. Thank you, Ethan.”
The award win stunned film fans everywhere, with several taking to social media to congratulate the actor while simultaneously branding one of the biggest “shocks” in the awards’ history.
Baftas 2026: Robert Aramayo could barely believe it
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When collecting his EE Rising Star award earlier in the evening, Mr Aramayo was similarly blown away by the support.
“This is really scary, last time I was at Bafta I dropped the award, so hopefully this will go better,” he quipped.
“I can’t believe this, it really blows my mind.”
Referring to Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson, on whom I Swear is based, he said: “John Davidson is the most remarkable person I’ve ever met and he believes there is so much more we need to learn about Tourette’s.
Robert Aramayo wins Best Actor in a Leading Role for ‘I SWEAR’ at the 2026 BAFTAs. pic.twitter.com/ms4VCHDUtv
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) February 22, 2026
“In the words of the film, they need support and understanding. This means the world to me, I can’t believe it.
I Swear performed well on the evening, but it was One Battle After Another who emerged as the night’s biggest winner.
The Mr DiCaprio-led drama won six Baftas in the end, including Best Film, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Supporting Actor, Cinematography and Editing.
Elsewhere, Sinners won three awards for Original Screenplay for Ryan Coogler, Supporting Actress for Wunmi Mosaku, and Original Score.
Baftas 2026: Timothee Chalamet had been heavily tipped to win the award
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PANetflix’s Frankenstein followed suit with a hat-trick as well. The epic drama bagged Costume Design, Make Up & Hair and Production Design.
Hamnet and I Swear won two awards each, while Sentimental Value won Film Not in the English Language.
Meanwhile, My Father’s Shadow won Outstanding Debut for a British Writer, Director or Producer for Bafta Breakthrough Akinola Davies Jr, and Wale Davies.
Among the other award winners were Mr. Nobody Against Putin for Documentary, Zootropolis 2 for the Animated Film category, Boong for Children’s & Family Film, and F1 for Sound.
Avatar: Fire and Ash won Special Visual Effects while This Is Endometriosis won the British Short Film award.
This marks first-time Bafta Film Awards wins for all four performers Jessie Buckley, Robert Aramayo, Wunmi Mosaku, and Sean Penn; a first-time Bafta Film Awards nomination and win for Ryan Coogler; and a first-time Best Director win for Paul Thomas Anderson.