Robert Aramayo Steals the Show at the BAFTAs with Dual Wins
The British Academy Film Awards, often a significant barometer for Oscar hopes, delivered a night of surprises and standout performances. Among the many celebrated talents, British actor Robert Aramayo emerged as the undisputed star, clinching not one, but two of the evening’s most prestigious awards. The BAFTAs, a cornerstone of the awards season calendar, saw a range of films recognised, with particular acclaim for Hamnet, Sinners, and the Best Film recipient, One Battle After Another (OBAA).
While many films vied for recognition, some, like the Timothée Chalamet-led Marty Supreme, left empty-handed, famously losing out on all 11 of its nominations – a record-equalling tally for the most losses at the BAFTAs. In contrast, the 33-year-old Aramayo’s triumph was a dominant force.
Aramayo secured the coveted EE Rising Star award, an accolade boasting an impressive alumni of past winners, and the highly competitive Best Actor award. His victory in the latter category saw him triumph over formidable contenders, including Leonardo DiCaprio for OBAA and Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme, both of whom are strong contenders for upcoming Academy Awards.
The Film Behind the Triumph: I Swear
The source of Aramayo’s dual BAFTAs is his compelling lead performance in the Scottish biographical drama, I Swear. In the film, he portrays John Davidson MBE, a dedicated campaigner for Tourette’s syndrome awareness. The two-hour feature delves into John’s personal journey, chronicling his experiences growing up with Tourette syndrome during the 1980s, the societal prejudices and challenges he encountered, and his persistent efforts to foster greater public understanding of the condition. John Davidson’s story previously gained wider attention through a 1989 BBC documentary titled John’s Not Mad. For context, Tourette syndrome, as defined by the NHS, is a neurological condition characterised by sudden, repetitive sounds or movements known as tics.
An Emotional Acceptance and a Difficult Moment
Following his wins, Aramayo expressed his profound shock and gratitude. His acceptance speeches were heartfelt, paying tribute to fellow nominee Ethan Hawke and, most importantly, to the real-life individual whose story he brought to the screen, John Davidson. Speaking with evident emotion, Aramayo declared his disbelief and described John as “the most amazing man I’ve ever met.”
John Davidson was present at the ceremony. However, reports indicate he departed midway through the event following an incident earlier in the evening. During a presentation by Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, Davidson reportedly used a racial slur. BAFTA host Alan Cumming and the BBC subsequently issued apologies for any offence caused, with Cumming thanking attendees for their “understanding.”
The incident has sparked considerable discussion online regarding the appropriate response and measures to protect performers from such offensive language. In the winner’s press room, after receiving his second award, Aramayo addressed the complexity of John’s condition, stating, “It’s complicated and complex and it requires us to have grace.” He elaborated on the varied nature of Tourette’s, noting that many individuals with the condition live with tics that are not outwardly visible, challenging common perceptions. He shared that his involvement in the film profoundly impacted him, sparking a passion for raising awareness about the condition through his work.
Aramayo’s Established Career Path
Robert Aramayo’s journey in the entertainment industry began in 2012 with a role in the short film 18 Actors. However, his breakthrough into major productions came in 2016 when he was cast as a young Ned Stark in the globally acclaimed HBO series Game of Thrones. Since then, his career has seen him feature in a diverse array of television shows and films. Notable appearances include an episode of the Netflix series Mindhunter in 2019 and a role in the 2020 film Antebellum. More recently, he starred as Rob in the Netflix miniseries Behind Her Eyes and gained significant recognition for his portrayal of Elrond in Amazon Prime’s high-profile prequel series, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Last year, alongside his BAFTA-winning performance in I Swear, he also appeared in Palestine 36.
Reflecting on his early career in an interview with The Guardian, Aramayo spoke candidly about the challenges he faced after graduating. He recalled a promising role in an HBO drama opposite Casey Affleck that was ultimately shelved, an experience that highlighted the inherent “fragility” of the industry for him. Fortunately, this setback was quickly followed by his casting in Game of Thrones.
Hull to Hollywood: Aramayo’s Roots
Robert Aramayo’s origins lie in Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire. His passion for acting ignited at the tender age of seven when he took on a role in a production of Bugsy Malone. By nine, he was a participant in Hull Truck Theatre’s youth programme. His formal training took him to the prestigious Juilliard School in New York, a renowned institution for performing arts, before embarking on his professional screen career.
Acting appears to be a family affair, with his older sister, Laura Aramayo, also a professional actor who has featured in popular British soap operas such as Emmerdale and Coronation Street. The siblings even shared the screen in the Netflix miniseries Behind Her Eyes. His father, Mike, expressed immense pride in his son’s BAFTA nomination, reflecting on the calibre of talent he was up against. He noted, “You get lost in the names of DiCaprio, Chalamet, Jordan and all of that. You realise just how talented you need to be to get there.” He emphasised Robert’s unwavering dedication, stating, “But Robert has worked his socks off all his life. Whether it’s a small part or a big part he [has] still put the same research in, the same effort and [given] it his best shot.” He proudly described their background as “just from a normal, working-class family from Hull.”
Beyond Laura, Robert has another sister, Charleigh, aged 27, who is pursuing a degree in social work. The family’s financial commitment to Robert’s education at Juilliard was significant. His mother, Lisa, recounted how they rallied friends and family to raise funds, with his father eventually being able to contribute to the tuition fees. During his first BAFTA acceptance speech, Aramayo also expressed his gratitude to his “amazing partner,” though details about his girlfriend remain largely private. Currently, he is engaged in a sold-out run of Luke Norris’s play, Guess How Much I Love You?
Full List of BAFTA Winners 2026
- Best Film: One Battle After Another
- Leading Actor: Robert Aramayo – I Swear
- Leading Actress: Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
- Outstanding British Film: Hamnet
- Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer: Akinola Davies Jr (director), Wale Davies (writer) – My Father’s Shadow
- Adapted Screenplay: One Battle After Another – Paul Thomas Anderson
- Original Screenplay: Sinners – Ryan Coogler
- Film Not in the English Language: Sentimental Value
- Director: Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
- Supporting Actress: Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
- Supporting Actor: Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
- Children’s and Family Film: Boong
- Costume Design: Frankenstein
- Special Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire And Ash
- Production Design: Frankenstein
- Sound: F1
- Makeup and Hair: Frankenstein
- Original Score: Sinners
- Animated Film: Zootropolis 2
- British Short Animation: Two Black Boys In Paradise
- Best British Short Film: This Is Endometriosis
- Casting: I Swear
- Cinematography: One Battle After Another
- Editing: One Battle After Another
- Documentary: Mr Nobody Against Putin
- Rising Star (voted for by the public): Robert Aramayo – I Swear
- Fellowship: Dame Donna Langley
- Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema: Clare Binns
