Connect with us

Published

on

Oppenheimer is the winner of the night at this year’s BAFTAs, taking home seven awards, including the big one – best film.

Irish actor Cillian Murphy, who stars as “father of the atomic bomb” J Robert Oppenheimer, was named best actor – and thanked his “Oppen-homies” on stage – while co-star Robert Downey Jr was honoured in the supporting category.

Accepting his trophy, Murphy described his character as “colossally knotty,” and added: “We have a space to debate and interrogate and investigate that complexity and it’s a privilege to be a part of this community with you all.”

Cillian Murphy accepts the leading actor award for Oppenheimer at the BAFTAs. Pic: Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty
Image:
Irish actor Cillian Murphy is this year’s BAFTA best actor. Pic: Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty


For Christopher Nolan, the film’s acclaimed British director – also known for Inception, The Dark Knight, and Dunkirk – the “incredible honour” of his first ever BAFTA was a case of third time lucky.

He paid tribute to the film’s cast, led by the “peerless” Murphy, as he accepted the award.

Follow our live coverage of the BAFTAs here

Downey Jr, who plays Lewis Strauss, head of the Atomic Energy Commission, set a new record for the longest gap between wins by an actor – with his latest trophy coming 31 years after his previous BAFTA for Chaplin, in 1993.

More on Bafta

On stage, he thanked Nolan, joking: “Recently that dude suggested I attempt an understated approach as a last ditch effort to resurrect my dwindling credibility.”

It was also a successful night for Emma Stone, who was named best actress for her performance in Poor Things, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph – who took home the supporting actress trophy for her portrayal of a grieving school chef in The Holdovers.

Emma Stone was named best actress for her performance in Poor Things. Pic: Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty Images
Image:
Emma Stone stars in Poor Things. Pic: Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty


Stone’s win was one of five for Poor Things, in which she plays a woman with the mind of a child discovering life for the first time, making the film the night’s second big winner.

The American actress said she was “in awe” of all of the team behind the surreal comedy, and thanked her British dialect coach for “not laughing” when she said water in an American accent.

All four acting winners are among the favourites to take home prizes at the Oscars in March.

BAFTAs host David Tennant. Pic: Joe Maher/BAFTA/Getty Images
Image:
The show was hosted by David Tennant. Pic: Joe Maher/BAFTA/Getty

In her speech, Randolph paid tribute to her co-star and fellow nominee, Paul Giamatti, saying she “cries every time” she says his name.

“I’m proud to call you a friend and thank you for never wavering,” she said.

She also hailed her character Mary, who would “never would have got a chance to wear a beautiful gown”, before saying it was a “responsibility I don’t take lightly”.

Elsewhere, Holocaust drama The Zone Of Interest took home three awards, including best film not in the English language – and also outstanding British film, due to British involvement behind the scenes, including Jonathan Glazer directing.

Read more:
The full list of winners
Red carpet fashion – all the best looks

The Prince of Wales, president of Bafta, talks with David Beckham at the Bafta Film Awards 2024, at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London. Picture date: Sunday February 18, 2024.
Image:
Prince William, president of BAFTA, and David Beckham were among the BAFTA VIPs. Pic: PA


Despite being the biggest film of 2023, and heading into the ceremony with five nominations, Barbie left the BAFTAs empty-handed.

The show was hosted by David Tennant, who kicked things off with a Zoom-style sketch about looking after Michael Sheen’s dog, Bark Ruffalo – which ended with the dog being handed to the Welsh star at the ceremony.

The ceremony also included a memorable performance from Sophie Ellis-Bextor – whose 2001 hit Murder On The Dancefloor has soared up the charts once again thanks to its inclusion in the particularly memorable final scene in viral hit film Saltburn.

Emma Stone was named best actress for her performance in Poor Things. Pic: Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty Images
Image:
Emma Stone stars in Poor Things. Pic: Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty


Samantha Morton, known for films and TV shows including Minority Report, The Whale and The Walking Dead, was named this year’s BAFTA fellowship winner, and used her speech to highlight problems in the children’s care system.

The actress and director, who grew up in foster care, said on stage: “It costs the taxpayer a huge amount of money to keep a child in care, to take care of them. And that money is wasted and spent ridiculously.

“I used to say when I was a kid of many children’s homes, I used to say, ‘It’d be great, why don’t I just go to some fancy boarding school? At least then I get an education’. But that wasn’t on the cards.”

She added: “To those kids in care, don’t allow the system to drag you down because it can and it will.”

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Man arrested for alleged sexual assault ‘on set of EastEnders’

Published

on

By

Man arrested for alleged sexual assault 'on set of EastEnders'

A man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and sexual assault – which reportedly took place on the set of EastEnders.

The alleged incident happened on the set of the BBC soap at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, according to The Sun newspaper.

Hertfordshire Police confirmed a man in his 50s was arrested after the report in Eldon Avenue, Borehamwood, on 7 May.

The man is accused of sexual assault and common assault in relation to two victims, the force said.

The suspect is on bail while inquiries continue, police added.

EastEnders said in a statement: “While we would never comment on individuals, EastEnders has on-site security and well-established procedures in place to safeguard the safety and welfare of everyone who works on the show.”

Continue Reading

Entertainment

BST Hyde Park’s final day cancelled as Jeff Lynne’s ELO pulls out of headline slot

Published

on

By

BST Hyde Park's final day cancelled as Jeff Lynne's ELO pulls out of headline slot

BST Hyde Park festival has cancelled its final night after Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra pulled out of the headline slot.

Lynne, 77, was due to play alongside his band on Sunday but has been forced to withdraw from the event following a “systemic infection”.

The London show was supposed to be a “final goodbye” from ELO following their farewell US tour.

Organisers said on Saturday that Lynne was “heartbroken” at being unable to perform.

A statement read: “Jeff has been battling a systemic infection and is currently in the care of a team of doctors who have advised him that performing is simply not possible at this time nor will he be able to reschedule.

“The legacy of the band and his longtime fans are foremost in Jeff’s mind today – and while he is so sorry that he cannot perform, he knows that he must focus on his health and rehabilitation at this time.”

They later confirmed the whole of Sunday’s event would be cancelled.

“Ticket holders will be refunded and contacted directly by their ticket agent with further details,” another statement said.

Stevie Wonder played the festival on Saturday – now its final event of 2025.

Read more from Sky News:
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland record hottest days of year
Tennis star in tears after Wimbledon final drubbing

US rock band The Doobie Brothers and blues rock singer Steve Winwood were among those who had been due to perform to before ELO’s headline performance.

The cancellation comes after the band, best known for their hit Mr Blue Sky, pulled out of a performance due to take place at Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena on Thursday.

ELO was formed in Birmingham in 1970 by Lynne, multi-instrumentalist Roy Wood and drummer Bev Bevan.

They first split in 1986, before frontman Lynne resurrected the band in 2014.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Donald Trump threatens to revoke Rosie O’Donnell’s US citizenship

Published

on

By

Donald Trump threatens to revoke Rosie O'Donnell's US citizenship

Donald Trump has said he is considering “taking away” the US citizenship of actress and comedian Rosie O’Donnell, despite a Supreme Court ruling that expressly prohibits a government from doing so.

In a post on Truth Social on Saturday, the US president said: “Because of the fact that Rosie O’Donnell is not in the best interests of our Great Country, I am giving serious consideration to taking away her Citizenship.”

He also labelled O’Donnell, who has moved to Ireland, as a “threat to humanity” and said she should “remain in the wonderful country of Ireland, if they want her”.

O’Donnell responded on Instagram by posting a photograph of Mr Trump with Jeffrey Epstein.

“You are everything that is wrong with America and I’m everything you hate about what’s still right with it,” she wrote in the caption.

“I’m not yours to silence. I never was.”

Rosie O'Donnell arrives at the ELLE Women in Hollywood celebration on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Image:
Rosie O’Donnell moved to Ireland after Donald Trump secured a second term. Pic: AP

O’Donnell moved to Ireland with her 12-year-old son in January after Mr Trump had secured a second term.

She has said she’s in the process of obtaining Irish citizenship based on family lineage and that she would only return to the US “when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America”.

O’Donnell and the US president have criticised each other publicly for years, in an often-bitter back-and-forth that predates Mr Trump’s move into politics.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Will Trump address parliament on UK state visit?

This is just the latest threat by the president to revoke the citizenship of someone he has disagreed with, most recently his former ally Elon Musk.

But the two situations are different as while Musk was born in South Africa, O’Donnell was born in the US and has a constitutional right to American citizenship.

Read more from Sky News:
Kate’s ’emotional’ words for tearful tennis star
Music festival cancelled as headliner pulls out

Amanda Frost, a law professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, said the Supreme Court ruled in a 1967 case that the fourteenth amendment of the constitution prevents the government from taking away citizenship.

“The president has no authority to take away the citizenship of a native-born US citizen,” he added.

“In short, we are nation founded on the principle that the people choose the government; the government cannot choose the people.”

Continue Reading

Trending