BAFTA TV Awards 2025: ‘Mr Loverman’ and ‘Mr Bates vs The Post Office’ Lead Winners, ‘Baby Reindeer’ Snags Single Honor

From emotional dramas to comedic firsts, the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards celebrated powerful performances and bold storytelling across genres—with surprise wins, crowd-favorite moments, and historic nods.

London [UK], May 12 – The 2025 BAFTA Television Awards unfolded in spectacular fashion Sunday night, with ‘Mr Loverman’ and ‘Mr Bates vs The Post Office’ emerging as standout victors in a diverse field of powerful contenders. The glitzy ceremony held in London honored excellence across drama, comedy, entertainment, factual programming, and performance—highlighting a year where real-life storytelling and nuanced performances took center stage.

While Netflix’s ‘Baby Reindeer’ led the nominations with eight nods, it secured only one award, despite its viral acclaim. The show’s breakout stars, Jessica Gunning and Richard Gadd, received individual nominations but were outpaced in major categories.

Top Honors:

• Lennie James won Leading Actor for his role in Mr Loverman, beating industry titans like Gary Oldman and David Tennant.
• Marisa Abela claimed Leading Actress for her performance in Industry, outshining veterans such as Billie Piper and Sharon D. Clarke.
• Mr Bates vs The Post Office also made a mark in the Limited Drama category, continuing its critical momentum.

Other Major Wins:

• Shōgun won Best International Series, cementing Disney+’s growing presence in prestige drama.
• Jessica Gunning took home Supporting Actress for her intense role in Baby Reindeer.
• The public-voted P&O Cruises Memorable Moment Award went to Gavin & Stacey: The Finale for the emotional “Mick Stands Up” wedding scene.

Performance Highlights:

This year saw a significant wave of first-time nominees. Out of 44 names in performance categories, 21 were recognized for the first time, including:

• Nicola Coughlan (Big Mood)
• Bilal Hasna (Extraordinary)
• Mckinley Belcher III (Eric)
• Ariyon Bakare (Mr Loverman)
• Nava Mau (Baby Reindeer)

These fresh nominations reflect BAFTA’s growing commitment to spotlighting new and diverse voices in British television.

Genre-Spanning Winners:

• Factual programming shone with Life and Death in Gaza and Ukraine’s War: The Other Side taking home current affairs honors.
• Children’s television also stood out with Tweedy & Fluff and Disability and Me among winners.
• The Traitors continued its dominance in reality TV, while Race Across The World won in factual entertainment.

A Night of Range and Recognition

From laugh-out-loud comedy (Alma’s Not Normal, We Are Lady Parts) to gripping drama (Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light), the ceremony painted a vibrant portrait of the UK’s storytelling landscape. The BAFTAs also acknowledged live event coverage including D-Day 80, and memorable musical productions like Last Night of the Proms.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 BAFTA TV Awards proved that British television continues to evolve—delivering global hits, nurturing breakout stars, and telling stories that challenge, entertain, and resonate. Whether it was a courtroom drama, a political satire, or a period piece—this year’s winners reflect a bold, emotionally intelligent future for the screen.

For the full list of winners, visit BAFTA’s official site.

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Notable Wins at a Glance:

• Best Drama Series: Blue Lights
• Best Scripted Comedy: Alma’s Not Normal
• Best Entertainment Show: The 1% Club
• Best Single Documentary: Tell Them You Love Me
• Best Supporting Actor: Ariyon Bakare – Mr Loverman

Stay tuned for post-BAFTA interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and red carpet highlights from a night celebrating TV’s finest.