Guildhall alumni among the winners at the BAFTA Awards 2021
Congratulations to the Guildhall alumni who were among the winners and nominees at the 2021 Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards and British Academy Television Craft Awards.
I May Destroy You, which was written, produced and directed by Michaela Coel (Acting 2012), picked up five wins from its eight nominations, including Leading Actress for Michaela’s role as Arabella in the series, as well as Best Mini-Series. Coel also picked up the awards in the Director: Fiction category (alongside Sam Miller) and in the Writer: Drama category, with the series also winning the award for Editing: Fiction.
Alumnus Paapa Essiedu (Acting 2012) was nominated in the Leading Actor category for his role as Kwame. I May Destroy You also featured alumni Adam James (Acting 1995) as Julian, Franc Ashman (Acting 2006) as Susy Henny and Mariah Gale (Acting 2003) as Officer Beth.
Save Me Too, created, written by and starring Lennie James (Acting 1988) as Nelly, won the award for Best Drama. Gangs of London, which featured alumni Paapa Essiedu (Acting 2012) as Alexander and Adrian Bower (Acting 1994) as Mark, was nominated in the same category, as well as for Best Mini-Series.
Other Guildhall alumni among the nominees include Leila Farzad (Acting 2008), nominated for Supporting Actress for her role as Naomi in I Hate Suzie, which was also nominated for best Drama series. Anthony, which featured Toheeb Jimoh as Anthony Walker and Leo Wringer (Acting 1978) as Steve Walker, was nominated for the Single Drama award.
Steve McQueen's Small Axe received six wins from its 15 nominations across multiple categories, while The Crown received 10 nominations. Small Axe featured final-year actor Sheyi Cole as Alex Wheatle, as well as alumnus Liam Garrigan (Acting 2003) as Greg Huggan.
Series four of The Crown featured alumni Marion Bailey (Acting 1973) as The Queen Mother, Eva Feiler (Acting 2013) as the Young Margaret Thatcher and Freddie Fox (Acting 2010) as her son, Mark Thatcher. Charles Edwards (Acting 1992) featured as Martin Charteris, Al Barclay (Acting 2002) as Michael Howard, Richard Goulding (Acting 2007) as Edward Adeane, Sam Phillips (Acting 2007), as the Queen's equerry, Paul Jesson (Acting 1970) as Sir Geoffrey Howe and Tony Jayawardena (Acting 2003) as Sir Sonny Ramphal.
Man Like Mobeen, which featured alumni Art Mailk (Acting 1977) as Khan and Nikesh Patel (Acting 2010) as Naveed, was nominated for the Scripted Comedy Award.
Strictly Come Dancing was nominated for best Entertainment Programme. Alumnus Dave Arch (Music 1984) is the Musical Director and Arranger for the programme.
Visit the BAFTA website for the full list of winners and nominees.