No one could accuse the BAFTAs of not delivering when it comes to memorable awards season moments. In a sea of largely formulaic ceremonies which feature the same handful of winners traipsing up to podiums, this is the event that had Babe the Pig in attendance in the mid ’90s; saw Tinie Tempah high-fiving Prince William; Rebel Wilson squeezing mentions of both Prince Andrew and Prince Harry into a speech (while the Prince and Princess of Wales looked on, unimpressed); Stephen Fry calling his friend, best costume design winner Jenny Beavan, a “bag lady”; and last year, Ariana DeBose uttering the now immortal lines: “Blanchett Cate you’re a genius / And Jamie Lee you’re all of us.” In short, utter chaos—and what could be more British?
Below, a rundown of all the moments you might have missed from the 2024 ceremony at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, from David Tennant’s stint as host to Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s rendition of “Murder on the Dancefloor.”
Dr. Who did West Lothian proud
As presenter, a kilt-clad David Tennant brought a touch of Scottish craic—and madness—to the 2024 BAFTAs; if his opening gambit (dog-sitting Michael Sheen’s terrier “Bark Ruffalo”) fell a little flat, it was a delight watching most of his references absolutely baffle 90% of the Americans in the room, including an “aye” versus “AI” joke.
Justine Triet and Arthur Harari are now steering clear of attic windows
Despite being considerably flustered by their win for best original screenplay, husband-and-wife duo Justine Triet and Arthur Harari delivered one of the most winning speeches of the night. “The last time I was in London, a woman said to me, ‘Thank you, because after I saw your movie, I called my ex, and I told him to go see it to understand why I dumped him,’” Justine teasingly began. “Sometimes, it feels like people think we really experienced what’s in the film, and I’d like to make a statement tonight: It’s a fiction, and we are—reasonably—fine.” Arthur, for his part, hilariously seemed less sure. “Recently I found myself near an attic in a house… I thought, initially, this film is not an autofiction, but what if it’s like becoming one?… I want this room to be my witness if anything happens to me.”
Jo Koy’s Golden Globes monologue is no longer the worst thing to happen at an awards ceremony this season
Nick Mohammed’s performance as “Mr. Swallow” is.
Someone stole the groove from the musical performances
If Saltburn left the BAFTAs sans golden masks, its pop cultural influence was recognized with a performance by Sophie Ellis-Bextor (who has a touch of the J.Lo to her, somehow looking younger now than she did in 2001?). She sang—what else?—“Murder on the Dancefloor,” with a (fully clothed, disappointingly sedentary) Barry Keoghan blowing her a kiss at the end. If the song itself felt quite low-energy, at least it gave Gen-Z something to fantasize about while lighting their bathwater candles tonight. Hannah Waddingham’s rendition of “Time After Time” during the In Memoriam section also felt less moving, more distracting, during what could have been a powerful moment.
Hugh Grant confirmed he should be next year’s host if Stephen Fry still isn’t available
True to deadpan form, the Wonka star chose to present the best director award with a rhyme inspired by his Roald Dahl character: “Oompa Loompa doompety dee/now the best director category. Oompa Loompa doompety dong/Most of these films were frankly too long. Oompa Loompa doompety dah/But for some reason the nominees are…”
It was a great night for the “Oppenhomies”…
Nolan’s atomic epic didn’t quite sweep the board, but it did bring home a highly respectable seven awards. Following his in-no-way surprising win for best supporting actor, Robert Downey Jr. began by delivering a 30-second autobiography at the podium. (“When I was 15, I wanted to be Peter O’Toole. When I was 25, I worked for Richard Attenborough with Anthony Hopkins. When I was 35, I finally understood why he thought Tony would be a better role model for me than Peter.”) He then gave all credit for his success to Christopher Nolan: “[He] suggested I attempt an understated approach as a last-ditch effort to perhaps resurrect my dwindling credibility,” he quipped. “[I owe this],” he continued while holding his statuette, “to British influence.” Cillian Murphy, meanwhile, scooped best actor (and gave a shout out to his “Oppenhomies”), while Christopher Nolan broke his BAFTAs curse with best director and best film.
A new addition to Mattel’s doll universe? BAFTA-less Barbie
Barbie left the ceremony without a single award, as did Killers of the Flower Moon, following Lily Gladstone’s snub in the best-actress category.
Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal continued promoting “unrealistic beauty standards for men”
Andrew Scott may have missed out on a best actor nomination for All of Us Strangers, but at least he got to hear himself described as just as “rugged and attractive as the Irish landscape” by David Tennant before handing out the award for best animated film to The Boy and the Heron with Paul Mescal.
Sea creatures had their moment in the spotlight
The academy was feeling shellfish, with “Crab Day” taking home best British short animation, while “Jellyfish and Lobster” won best British short film. Special mention, too, to Robert Downey Jr.’s glittering starfish brooch.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph said what everyone was thinking
Namely, how fit Chiwetel Ejiofor is. “You are so handsome—I was really hoping you were gonna be here, and woof,” she told the actor as he presented her with best supporting actress. “It was worth it!” Her win for her turn in The Holdovers felt particularly welcome given the BAFTAs’ frankly depressing history when it comes to recognizing diverse talent; as a reminder, even in 2024, not a single Black woman has ever won best actress.
Michael J. Fox brought Royal Festival Hall to its feet
Michael J. Fox, who’s been incredibly candid about his battle with Parkinson’s disease (and is the subject of Davis Guggenheim’s BAFTA-nominated documentary Still), received a standing ovation when he arrived on stage to present the award for best film. “There’s a reason why they say movies are magic,” he told the audience in the only genuinely moving moment of the ceremony, “because a movie can change your day. It can change your outlook. It can sometimes even change your life.”
Emma Stone must go punch that baby
Taking to the stage to accept her (very much expected) best-actress statuette, Stone shouted out writer Tony McNamara, with whom she had previously collaborated on The Favourite. “Tony, thank you for the line ‘I must go punch that baby,’” she joked. “It was life-changing for me.” And on a more serious note? The Poor Things lead teared up while thanking her mother. “I just want to say this, in case I don’t ever get a chance to again… I really want to thank my mom, because she’s the best person I know in the world and she inspires me every single day and she’s always made me believe this kind of crazy idea that I could do something like this and I’m beyond grateful… Without her none of this exists, including my life, so thanks for that too, mom. Thank you so much.”
See every look from the BAFTAS 2024 red carpet:
