Sean Penn Takes Home Supporting Actor BAFTA, While Mescal and Elordi Miss Out
The British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) saw Sean Penn clinch the Supporting Actor award for his powerful performance in “One Battle After Another” at a glitzy ceremony held in London on Sunday night. While Penn himself was not in attendance to accept the honour, presenter Gillian Anderson lightheartedly quipped, “I’m going to take it.”
This win came as a surprise to many, particularly as rising stars Paul Mescal and Jacob Elordi were also nominated in the same category, with significant anticipation surrounding their potential wins. Mescal, despite receiving widespread critical acclaim for his role in “Hamnet,” was ultimately overlooked for the award. Similarly, Elordi, recognised for his portrayal of the Monster in Guillermo Del Toro’s ambitious “Frankenstein,” was also absent from the ceremony, his nomination not translating into a win.
The Supporting Actor category was fiercely competitive, featuring other notable nominees such as Benicio Del Toro for his work in “One Battle After Another,” Petter Mullan for “I Swear,” and Stellan Skarsgård for “Sentimental Value.” The BAFTA snub for Mescal follows a similar disappointment during the Oscar nominations, though his “Hamnet” co-star, Jessie Buckley, has secured nominations for Leading Actress at both the BAFTAs and the Oscars, highlighting the film’s overall impact.
Wunmi Mosaku Shines in Supporting Actress Win
In other significant wins, Wunmi Mosaku was an early recipient of the Best Supporting Actress award for her compelling performance in “Sinners.” The actress, who is expecting her second child, expressed her gratitude to her husband, family, and daughter on stage, attributing her freedom to make career choices to the “beamed” love from her mother.
Mosaku spoke about her role as the priestess Annie in “Sinners,” revealing how it allowed her to connect with a part of herself that she had “dimmed” while trying to assimilate as an immigrant. The role was specially written for her by Ryan Coogler, acknowledging Mosaku’s unique talents. Raised in Manchester, she honed her vocal abilities for 11 years in the Manchester Girls’ Choir before graduating from Rada. Her career gained significant traction following her impactful role in the 2010 film “I Am Slave,” where she played a Sudanese girl subjected to slavery. Mosaku has a history with BAFTA awards, having previously won a TV BAFTA for her portrayal of Gloria Taylor, the mother of Damilola Taylor, in the TV film “Damilola, Our Loved Boy.” Her impressive resume also includes appearances in major Hollywood blockbusters such as “Deadpool & Wolverine” and “Batman vs Superman.” Born in Zaria, Nigeria, to academic parents, she now resides in Los Angeles.
Reflecting on the success of “Sinners,” Mosaku shared her immense joy, stating, “It’s just been the best feeling ever because we really loved this film.” She added, “We really poured everything we had into it, and so the audiences showing up and showing so much love for the film last year was so overwhelming and so affirming. Now to have these nominations come in, it’s just been the cherry on top.”
Other Notable BAFTA Wins and Special Awards
The ceremony also celebrated achievements in other categories. The Best Children’s & Family Film award, presented by Paddington Bear, went to “Boong,” an Indian coming-of-age drama in the Manipuri language.
“Frankenstein,” featuring Jacob Elordi in the titular role, secured wins for Best Production Design, as well as Best Makeup and Hair. The first award of the evening, for Special Visual Effects, was presented to “Avatar: Fire and Ash.”
This year’s Special Awards recognised significant contributions to the arts. Dame Donna Langley, the British Chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment, was honoured with the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship, the arts charity’s highest accolade, in recognition of her prolific career and influential status within the entertainment industry. Additionally, Clare Binns, Creative Director of Picture House Cinemas, received the BAFTA Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema award for her significant impact on the cinematic landscape.
