Robert Aramayo on BAFTA Upset: ‘I Honestly Can’t Believe I Won’

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Robert Aramayo surprised many by winning the Lead Actor award at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards for his role in I Swear. He defeated strong Oscar contenders like Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan, and Timothée Chalamet. During his acceptance speech, a clearly stunned Aramayo said, “I can’t believe this! Being nominated alongside all of you is incredible, let alone winning.” He continued, “I’m honestly shocked. Everyone else in this category is amazing.”

During his speech, Aramayo expressed gratitude to Ethan Hawke for a talk Hawke gave while Aramayo was a student at Julliard. He explained that Hawke’s discussion about sustaining a long career as an actor – focusing on self-care and avoiding harmful habits – deeply resonated with everyone present. Aramayo said it meant a lot to him to be nominated in the same category as Hawke, who was recognized for his role as Lorenz Hart in Blue Moon.

The film I Swear tells the story of John Davidson, a U.K. advocate for people with Tourette’s Syndrome. During the BAFTAs, Davidson had to leave the ceremony because of his tics – involuntary movements and sounds. Alan Cumming addressed the audience, explaining that some strong language heard during the broadcast was a result of these tics. He thanked viewers for their understanding and for helping to create a respectful environment. Cumming later emphasized that Tourette’s Syndrome is a disability and that the tics are completely beyond a person’s control, offering an apology if anyone was offended.

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2026-02-23 01:54