Gary Oldman Wins at the BAFTAs as Black Sweeps the Red Carpet

by · February 19, 2018

Ahead of the BAFTA ceremony, which took place last night, we learned that Emma Watson was among one of many stars who had signed an open letter supporting the spread of US campaign Time’s Up and had also supported a new equality fund. As the stars arrived for the BAFTAs, although Emma was not there due to work commitments, many were wearing black or Time’s Up pin badges.

Actress Joanna Lumley took over from British Harry Potter audiobook narrator Stephen Fry as the host of the awards. Fry had previously hosted 12 times.

We can never get far away from a Potter actor, and it was certainly true last night as Gary Oldman (Sirius Black) picked up the award for Best Leading Actor for his Role as Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour. In his speech, Oldman acknowledged Churchill.

In those dark, uncertain days in 1940, he held the line for honour, for integrity and [for] freedom for his nation and the world, so I thank you, Sir Winston.

 

Earlier on the red carpet, he talked to the BBC about taking on the Churchill challenge.

It was pretty daunting, but the good news is the Chruchill family really embraced the film and the performance. So I feel almost like an honorary family member now.

I read as much Churchill material and watched as much footage as I could. But at the end it’s a creation rather than an impersonation. You almost start with an impersonation and then move away from it – you have to own it.

Darkest Hour also picked up the award for Make Up & Hair, thanks to Oldman’s stunning transformation into Churchill.

Elsewhere, The Shape of Water, which had 12 nominations, went home with three awards, including Original Music for Alexandre Desplat, who also composed the soundtrack for both parts of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Dunkirk, which featured Sir Kenneth Branagh (Gilderoy Lockhart) as Royal Navy officer Commander Bolton, picked up the award for Sound.

Congratulations to all! See the full list of nominations and winners here.