The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has revealed that the multi-award-winning Scottish actor and presenter Alan Cumming will take centre stage as the host of the 2026 EE Bafta Film Awards.
From TV to Film: Cumming Takes the Bafta Reins
Cumming, who recently hosted the Bafta Television Awards and gained a new global fanbase presenting the hit series The Traitors US, will step into the role previously held by David Tennant. The prestigious ceremony is scheduled for 22 February 2026 at London's Royal Festival Hall.
This appointment continues a trend of rotating hosts for the film awards, following lengthy tenures by Stephen Fry and Jonathan Ross. Recent years have seen a diverse array of personalities at the helm, including Joanna Lumley, Rebel Wilson, Richard E. Grant, and, for the 2025 ceremony, Tennant.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Cumming stated he was thrilled to be back in the Bafta family. He promised a night celebrating cinematic creativity and craftsmanship, but also hinted at his signature style, saying the event would hopefully "have a laugh and create some mischief."
Bafta's Confidence in a Showman
Emma Baehr, Bafta’s Executive Director of Awards and Content, warmly endorsed the choice. She praised Cumming’s "sharp wit, warmth and vibrant energy," predicting he would deliver an unforgettable evening full of laughter, magic, and surprises. She playfully added that audiences might also expect "some extraordinary outfits."
Cumming's illustrious career across theatre, film, and television is decorated with major honours, including a Bafta, multiple Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, and an Olivier Award. He also serves as the artistic director of the Pitlochry Festival Theatre in Scotland.
Awards Season and Diversity Milestones
The announcement comes as Bafta prepares for its upcoming awards cycle. The longlists for the 2026 film awards will be published on 9 January, with the nominations following on 27 January. The Baftas act as the penultimate major event of the awards season, situated between the Golden Globes in January and the Oscars in March.
In a significant update, Bafta confirmed it has made substantial progress on its diversity initiatives. Following the #BaftasSoWhite controversy in 2020, the academy undertook a major overhaul of its membership and voting processes. The organisation announced earlier this month that it has met nearly all of its five-year diversity targets for members from minority ethnic groups, those who are deaf, disabled, or neurodivergent, and members who identify as LGB+.
However, while the target for female membership was set at 50%, the current figure stands at 43%. Bafta noted an encouraging trend, with 51% of new members joining since 2020 identifying as women.
As for the films in contention, early predictions for the 2026 ceremony include anticipated titles such as Hamnet, Sinners, One Battle After Another, Marty Supreme, and Frankenstein.
