David Tennant and Michael Sheen at the BAFTA 2020 presenting the award for Best Mini Serie. They did it Staged style
One day, when I’m dead, someone at the Gates will ask me if I did anything to qualify for admission to Writers’ Heaven. And then I’ll list all the books I wrote, and all the good deeds I tried to do, and the worthwhile causes I supported, and they will just stare at me, unsmiling and unimpressed. And finally, in desperation I’ll say “Well, I was the first one to put David Tennant and Michael Sheen together…” And the unimpressed expression will become a huge and delighted smile. “You did that?” they will say. “God LOVES them!”
They probably still won’t let me in to Writers’ Heaven, but I will take that one thing with me as my fragment of Grace, as I trudge down the stairs to Writers’ Hell.
Martin Freeman at the 2022 BAFTAs presenting the award for Leading Actress Here’s the video. Classic Martin. :D Including a lovely introduction by Richard Ayoade and Jodie Comer coming to the stage.
The BAFTAs were held yesterday and the big upset (to me) was that Russell T. Davies’ IT’S A SIN only won two of its eleven nominations: one in editing and one in direction. It garnered null wins in their five acting categories, best mini-series or the fan favourite category.
Who were the winners in the big categories?
Leading Actress Denise Gough (TOO CLOSE) Emily Watson (TOO CLOSE) Kate Winslet (MARE OF EASTTOWN) Lydia West (IT’S A SIN) Niamh Algar (DECEIT) Jodie Comer (HELP)**WINNER
This role for Comer and her costar Stephen Graham was an example of sheer actor audacity as, unbeknownst to each other, they both reached out to writer Jack Thorne (HIS DARK MATERIALS). Comer slid into his Twitter DMs to say she wanted to work with him and Graham (who had worked with Thorne on THIS IS ENGLAND and THE VIRTUES), saw Thorne at a party and asked him to write a role for he and Comer - who years earlier - he (Graham) introduced to his agent who quickly took her on.
Leading Actor David Thewlis (LANDSCAPERS) Olly Alexander (IT’S A SIN) Samuel Adewunmi (YOU DON’T KNOW ME) Stephen Graham (HELP) Hugh Quarshie (STEPHEN) Sean Bean (TIME) **WINNER
Drama Series The Night Stalker Unforgotten Vigil In My Skin **WINNER
Comedy Programme Joe Gilgun (BRASSIC) Samson Kayo (BLOODS) Steve Coogan (THIS TIME WITH ALAN PARTRIDGE) Ncuti Gatwa (SEX EDUCATION) Jamie Demetriou (STATH LETS FLATS)**WINNER
*Demetriou may have taken home the BAFTA but Ncuti (pronounced Shoot-ee) Gatwa gets to have the Tardis. Gatwa was named the new Doctor Who.
Gatwa has had to keep the role under wrap since February.
The coolest Doctor Who actor IMHO.
Female Performance In A Comedy Programme Aimee Lou Wood (SEX EDUCATION) Aisling Bea (THIS WAY UP) Anjana Vasan (WE ARE LADY PARTS) Rose Matafeo (STARSTRUCK) Sophie Willan (ALMA’s NOT NORMAL) **WINNER
Supporting Actress Céline Buckens (SHOWTRIAL) Emily Mortimer (THE PURSUIT OF LOVE) Jessica Plummer (THE GIRL BEFORE) Leah Harvey (FOUNDATION) Tahirah Sharif (THE TOWER) Cathy Tyson, Help **WINNER
Supporting Actor Callum Scott Howells (IT’S A SIN) David Carlyle (IT’S A SIN) Nonso Anozie (SWEET TOOTH) Omari Douglas (IT’S A SIN) Stephen Graham (TIME) Matthew Macfadyen (SUCCESSION) **WINNER
Macfadyen was not present. Their writer Jesse Armstrong accepted on his behalf which included a note from Nicholas Braun who recalled wanting to repeatedly do a scene where MacFadyen’s Tom kisses Braun’s Greg on the forehead.
Honours from Gerri.
Single Drama Death Of England: Face To Face Help I Am Victoria
Together WINNER **Utterly, utterly floored that this won over HELP. Both films deal with the pandemic/lockdown, but TOGETHER is a kitchen sink drama with a gimmick in that the characters constantly break the fourth wall monologuing. HELP is so much richer character study as well as a searing look at the ineptitude of government in assisting care workers in the early months of the pandemic.
International Call My Agent! Lupin Mare Of Easttown Squid Game Succession The Underground Railroad **WINNER
Mini-Series It’s A Sin Landscapers Stephen Time WINNER **I loved TIME, another heavy-hitter this about prison life, but versus IT’S A SIN - no competition. The only think I can reason why TIME won out is because, overall, the acting on IAS was almost always panned. So if you’re thinking overall greatness of a series, acting is a factor. But, whatever, I adored IAS. It was transformative, staggeringly brilliant and gutting and heartbreaking and heartfelt.
The denizens of the Pink Palace are winners in my eyes.
