It’s that time of year again for British TV addicts as the BAFTA Television Awards return to our screens this Sunday.
Among the biggest programmes of 2024 looking for recognition include the likes of Blue Lights, G’wed, Ludwig, Shōgun, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light and of course, Baby Reindeer and Mr Bates vs. the Post Office.
Additionally, a variety of high-profile stars are also on the hunt for BAFTA glory including Anjana Vasan, Billie Piper, Damian Lewis, Danny Dyer, David Tennant, Jessica Gunning, Jonathan Pryce, Lennie James, Maxine Peake, Nicola Coughlan, Richard Gadd and Sue Johnston, and previous winners like Anna Maxwell Martin, Martin Freeman, Monica Dolan, Sophie Willan and Toby Jones.
With all said and done, here are my winner predictions for some of the main categories….
BEST DRAMA SERIES
BLUE LIGHTS
SHERWOOD
SUPACELL
WOLF HALL: THE MIRROR AND THE LIGHT
WILL WIN? – WOLF HALL: THE MIRROR AND THE LIGHT – Though it may have underperformed on the nominations front, the second series of the BBC historical drama was just as lauded as its predecessor. However, Netflix’s unique superhero drama Supacell could be a potential threat after clinching the Casting gong at last month’s Craft Awards.
SHOULD WIN? – BLUE LIGHTS – After being completely ignored for its first series, the Belfast-based cop drama produced an impressive second run of episodes that already puts it in the same category as similar efforts like Line of Duty.
IGNORED? – RIVALS – The scandalous television adaptation of the Jilly Cooper novel was well-loved by critics and audiences yet failed to garner a deserving mention here. The same could also be said for the BBC crime thriller The Responder, which deserved more love for its superior second series.
BEST LIMITED DRAMA
BABY REINDEER
LOST BOYS & FAIRIES
MR BATES VS THE POST OFFICE
ONE DAY
WILL WIN? – BABY REINDEER – The acclaimed yet controversial miniseries has enjoyed universal success throughout the past year not least with memorable triumphs at the Emmys and Golden Globes. A victory here would certainly cap off a tremendous run for creator and star Richard Gadd, though Mr Bates would also be a deserving winner.
SHOULD WIN? – MR BATES VS THE POST OFFICE – Sixteen months on from its sensational broadcast on ITV, the powerful fact-based drama made that big of an impact on its audiences that it led to real-world change in regard to exonerating and compensating the wrongly-convicted subpostmasters. Furthermore, ITV themselves are also benefiting from the programme’s success after being awarded a prestigious accolade for their groundbreaking commission of the story.
IGNORED? – MR LOVERMAN – Despite strong reviews and a hat-trick of acting nominations, the BBC adaptation of the Bernardine Evaristo novel was surprisingly overlooked by the BAFTA jury.
BEST LEADING ACTRESS
Marisa Abela, INDUSTRY
Sharon D Clarke, MR LOVERMAN
Monica Dolan, MR BATES VS THE POST OFFICE
Anna Maxwell Martin, UNTIL I KILL YOU
Lola Petticrew, SAY NOTHING
Billie Piper, SCOOP
WILL WIN? – Anna Maxwell Martin – Though she already has two career wins here under her belt for Bleak House (2005) and Poppy Shakespeare (2008), the versatile performer is one of Britain’s best and gave a stunning performance as real-life victim and survivor Delia Balmer.
SHOULD WIN?– Marisa Abela – The Brighton-born starlet has enjoyed a meteoric rise to stardom in the past twelve months (particularly on the big-screen), and produced her best work yet with her reprised role as an ambitious banking graduate in one of the best single series of any television drama. Alternatively, Lola Petticrew would be a worthy winner for their clinical turn as real-life IRA volunteer Dolores Price.
IGNORED? – Ambika Mod (ONE DAY) – Despite a mesmerising performance in the Netflix adaptation of the David Nicholls novel, the comedian star’s dramatic work was once again overlooked by BAFTA just a couple of years after her egregious snub for This is Going to Hurt. We’ll get you that BAFTA nomination ‘one day’ Ambika!
BEST LEADING ACTOR
Martin Freeman, THE RESPONDER
Richard Gadd, BABY REINDEER
Lennie James, MR LOVERMAN
Toby Jones, MR BATES VS THE POST OFFICE
Gary Oldman, SLOW HORSES
David Tennant, RIVALS
WILL WIN? – Lennie James – In such a powerhouse category, the Black British star was tremendous as a closeted family man looking to finally come out after decades of secrecy. Furthermore, he has a mighty chance to become only the second non-white actor after Adeel Akhtar to win the Leading Actor prize since the awards were first formed.
SHOULD WIN? – Richard Gadd – The extraordinary success of Baby Reindeer has changed the Scottish performer’s life for the better, and his performance in the series itself was truly devastating. His recent Craft Award win for Writer (Drama) does suggest that BAFTA may go down a different route, though it’s a shame that Martin Freeman’s riveting turn as an overburdened scouse copper didn’t stand a better chance.
IGNORED? – Mark Rylance (WOLF HALL: THE MIRROR AND THE LIGHT) – Although the second series of Wolf Hall was another critical success, the versatile star missed out on a repeat Leading Actor nomination for his reprised BAFTA-winning role as Thomas Cromwell.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Monica Dolan, SHERWOOD
Jessica Gunning, BABY REINDEER
Sue Johnston, TRUELOVE
Nava Mau, BABY REINDEER
Katherine Parkinson, RIVALS
Maxine Peake, SAY NOTHING
WILL WIN AND SHOULD WIN? – Jessica Gunning – An underrated star for years, Gunning saw her life change for the better with her stunning performance as obsessive stalker Martha Scott in the acclaimed miniseries. With an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and a SAG Award already under her belt, you’d like to think a BAFTA win would be the icing on the cake. Alternatively, Maxine Peake has the overdue factor on her side and would be a welcoming choice for her portrayal of IRA volunteer Dolores Price.
IGNORED? – Lorraine Ashbourne (SHERWOOD) – As great as Dolan is in Sherwood, it would have also been nice to Ashbourne make the cut for her emotional reprised role as criminal matriarch Daphne Sparrow. Easily one of Britain’s best character actresses!
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Ariyon Bakhare, MR LOVERMAN
McKinley Belcher III, ERIC
Christopher Chung, SLOW HORSES
Damian Lewis, WOLF HALL: THE MIRROR AND THE LIGHT
Jonathan Pryce, SLOW HORSES
Sonny Walker, THE GATHERING
WILL WIN? – Ariyon Bakhare – A seasoned star of the screen and stage, Bakhare gave a splendid performance as an elderly gay man in the BBC miniseries and would make a fine winner. However, the likes of Lewis and Pryce could well threaten for the award too.
SHOULD WIN? – Jonathan Pryce – In what is his first ever television nod, the veteran British actor was devastating in his expanded role as a dementia-suffering former MI5 spy.
IGNORED? – Danny Dyer (RIVALS) – The ‘ole mucker secured major wins at the Broadcasting Press Guild and Royal Television Society Awards for his nuanced turn in the hit Disney+ series, only to be completely snubbed. Thank goodness for that Male Performance (Comedy) nomination! Additionally, Wirral star Josh Finan was also unlucky to be overlooked for his mesmerising portrayal of Gerry Adams in Say Nothing.
BEST SCRIPTED COMEDY
ALMA’S NOT NORMAL
BRASSIC
G’WED
LUDWIG
WILL WIN? – ALMA’S NOT NORMAL – The second series of the semi-autobiographical BBC comedy brought more laughs and a heck of a lot more tears as we found ourselves continuing to root for Bolton comedian Alma Nuthall and her eccentric family.
SHOULD WIN? – LUDWIG – The mystery caper was one of the surprise television successes of last year and is rightfully returning for a second series. It’s just a shame that it didn’t garner more nominations!
IGNORED? – GAVIN & STACEY: THE FINALE – A lot of fans and critics were left perplexed by the beloved BBC sitcom’s absence here. Additionally, the final series of Inside No. 9 also earned rave reviews, only to manage just one nomination for its writing.
BEST FEMALE COMEDY PERFORMANCE
Lolly Adefope, THE FRANCHISE
Nicola Coughlan, BIG MOOD
Ruth Jones, GAVIN & STACEY: THE FINALE
Kate O’Flynn, EVERYONE ELSE BURNS
Sophie Willan, ALMA’S NOT NORMAL
Anjana Vasan, WE ARE LADY PARTS
WILL WIN? – Ruth Jones –The Welsh star gave her beloved character Nessa the perfect ending in the emotional swansong of Gavin & Stacey, and would be seen as a very popular winner. However, this category is a tough one to call, especially as the likes of Coughlan and Willan give powerful performances in their respective ‘comedies’.
SHOULD WIN? – Anjana Vasan – The ‘fabulous’ Willan has already won here before, so it would be nice to see Vasan make it third time lucky and clinch the prize for her returning role as the geeky lead guitarist of a punk rock band.
IGNORED? – Aimee Lou Wood (DADDY ISSUES) – Despite being a previous winner of this category, the Manchester starlet was unable to score a nod despite stellar reviews in the BBC series.
BEST MALE COMEDY PERFORMANCE
Phil Dunning, SMOGGIE QUEENS
Danny Dyer, MR. BIGSTUFF
Bilal Hasna, EXTRAORDINARY
Nabhaan Rizwan, KAOS
Oliver Savell, CHANGING ENDS
Dylan Thomas Smith, G’WED
WILL WIN? – Danny Dyer – Though his series was a mixed bag, Dyer delivered with his physical comedy and even showed his acting chops in some of the more emotional moments. Additionally, it would make up for his disappointing Supporting Actor snub for Rivals. Alternatively, Phil Dunning could earn recognition after missing out on two accolades during last month’s Craft Awards.
SHOULD WIN? – Dylan Thomas Smith – The Wirral newcomer enjoyed a memorable debut as cheeky teenager Reese and will hopefully see his star soar in the next few years.
IGNORED? – David Mitchell (LUDWIG) – The former Peep Show star gave a fun performance as a socially-awkward puzzle solver yet was overlooked in favour of more younger contenders.
BEST INTERNATIONAL
AFTER THE PARTY
COLIN FROM ACCOUNTS
SAY NOTHING
SHŌGUN
TRUE DETECTIVE: NIGHT COUNTY
YOU ARE NOT ALONE: FIGHTING THE WOLFPACK
WILL WIN AND SHOULD WIN? – SHŌGUN – The lavish Japanese historical epic has reigned supreme since airing a year ago and dominated a number of major awards guilds, including a record-breaking haul at the Emmys. If there is to be another option, Say Nothing would be a welcoming choice after landing a couple of key acting nominations here.
IGNORED? – RIPLEY – Despite strong reviews and a memorable lead turn from Andrew Scott, the Netflix adaptation of the Patricia Highsmith novel failed to make the final six.
P&O CRUISES MEMORABLE MOMENT
BRIDGERTON (“THE” carriage scene where Colin admits his true feelings for Penelope)
GAVIN & STACEY: THE FINALE (Smithy’s Wedding: Mick stands up)
MR BATES VS THE POST OFFICE (Jo Hamilton phones the Horizon helpline)
RIVALS (Rupert Campbell-Black and Sarah Stratton are caught in a game of naked tennis)
STRICTLY COME DANCING (Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell waltz to ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’)
THE TRAITORS (“Paul isn’t my son… but Ross is!”)
WILL WIN? – GAVIN & STACEY – It would be an almighty shock if the BBC sitcom’s acclaimed finale lost here, given the importance of the scene and how it leads up to that satisfying ending. Alternatively, Strictly Come Dancing could prevail, given the relevance of McCausland’s performance. If only the song choice was better! 😉
SHOULD WIN? – MR BATES VS THE POST OFFICE – A pivotal moment in the opening episode of the series, this tense sequence unsurprisingly sparked outrage among audiences, and captured the vulnerability that poor Jo went through.
IGNORED? – BABY REINDEER (Donny breaks down on stage)
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