Edith Bowman, the BBC radio presenter and film enthusiast, shared a remarkable memory from the British Academy Film Awards, highlighting an unforgettable moment with Hugh Jackman. During the 2013 BAFTA ceremony, held in London, nearly nine months pregnant with her son Spike, Bowman experienced unexpected kindness from the Hollywood star amid a rain-soaked red carpet. This Hugh Jackman BAFTA moment stands out as a poignant example of generosity during one of cinema’s most glamorous nights.
The BAFTAs, a prestigious event where film industry leaders and stars celebrate excellence in British cinema, gained another layer of history through Bowman’s personal story. Speaking ahead of the 2026 ceremony, the 52-year-old radio star also recalled touching encounters with other prominent actors, such as Olivia Colman and Frances McDormand, reflecting on her extensive experience at the event.
Behind the Scenes: Edith Bowman’s Experiences with Stars and Emotional Moments
Over the years, Edith Bowman has become a familiar face at the BAFTAs, not only attending but also covering the event as part of her work. She recalled standing on the red carpet in 2013, dressed in a black gown soaked from the wet weather, when Hugh Jackman noticed her discomfort and offered his coat to shield her from the rain.
“I remember Hugh Jackman coming up and going ‘what the hell are you doing here?’ And taking his coat off and putting it round my shoulders,”
Bowman said. The warmth of this gesture—felt especially in those late stages of pregnancy—made the experience unforgettable.
Alongside this humorous recollection, Bowman spoke about her more emotional work in the winners’ rooms where she has interviewed award recipients. She shared a heartfelt moment with Olivia Colman in 2018, shortly after Colman won Best Actress for The Favourite. The actress had forgotten to thank her husband during her acceptance speech, and Bowman invited her to express her gratitude during their chat, which brought Colman to tears.
“Olivia Colman, who I think it was The Favourite and she’d forgotten to thank her husband, Ed, in the speech, and so I was like ‘well do it now’. So she did it in my chat and then she burst into tears. But I love her, she’s one of my favorites,”
Bowman recounted.
Another standout encounter was with Frances McDormand, known for her reserved media presence. After winning for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, McDormand returned with her cast and crew, and Bowman earned rare praise from the star.
“She came back with the whole crew, Sam Rockwell, Martin. And she never really says anything to the press and stuff, but I really pressed, and she was kind of like, ‘you’re good’. And I was like, ‘okay, I’ll have that on my gravestone’,”
Bowman shared.
The Reality Versus the Broadcast: Bowman’s Perspective on the BAFTA Experience
Though the televised ceremony captivates millions, Bowman pointed out that the broadcast is a polished version of the BAFTAs, edited to highlight the key moments. For her, the red carpet and winner’s interviews hold the most genuine and exciting moments, offering intimate glimpses into the emotions behind the awards.
“It’s all edited, it’s all tidied up like so I mean, my favorite bits are the red carpet and then the winners stuff,”
she said, appreciating the behind-the-scenes atmosphere. Bowman described the Royal Festival Hall, the venue for the ceremony, as a spectacular setting, likening its design to a set from a Star Wars movie, with balconies jutting out dramatically.
Her background in music festivals and live events has given her a unique appreciation for the backstage experiences. She believes these genuine moments of emotion and candor provide a stark contrast to the polished television presentation. Nevertheless, watching the ceremony at home remains enjoyable for her, as it offers a different, more personal perspective.
A Secretive Glimpse into the Post-Awards Parties
While sharing many of her experiences, Edith Bowman remained discreet about the after-parties, characterizing them as lively and fun but comparing them to the secretive nature of the film Fight Club. Though she hinted at their excitement, she maintained a respectful silence about specific details, preserving the mystique surrounding these exclusive gatherings.
Samsung’s Role as BAFTA’s First Technology Partner and the Future of Film Viewing
Edith Bowman also discussed her collaboration with Samsung, the BAFTA Film Awards’ first technology partner. In an era shaped by streaming services, Bowman and Zeena Hill, Samsung’s Director of Marketing for Home Entertainment and Appliances, spoke about the importance of cinema and television coexisting harmoniously.
Zeena expressed excitement about the partnership, emphasizing Samsung’s commitment to honoring the craftsmanship behind BAFTA’s celebrated work as well as the innovation in the technology powering their televisions.
“Honestly, we’re so excited, we cannot be more excited. We had the mask in our office yesterday, which everybody wanted a touch,”
Hill said, highlighting the allure of the BAFTA mask.
“For us as a TV brand, and in terms of the technology we have on the TV, it’s really such a beautiful, I think, partnership in terms of bringing for craftsmanship from BAFTA and everything it stands for, and obviously the craftsmanship that goes into our technology and the innovation.”
Bowman reflected on the blend of cinema and television viewing experiences, praising Samsung’s role in enhancing home entertainment to preserve filmmakers’ original intentions.
“It’s down to the streamers to whether they commit to the films having a theatrical window,”
she noted, praising the recent shift among streaming giants like Netflix toward incorporating cinematic release windows to maintain the prestige of film awards qualifications.
She added,
“From my experience with interviewing people, directors and stuff who’ve worked on films that have come out through Apple or Netflix, whether it be Scorsese for Killers of the Flower Moon or Gemma del Toro for Frankenstein, is that these streamers are as partners to these filmmakers.”
Bowman highlighted that streaming platforms often provide directors creative freedom without micromanagement, which she considers a positive development in filmmaking and distribution.
Top Film Contenders for the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards
Following the announcement of this year’s BAFTA nominations, One Battle After Another leads with 14 nods, including recognition for its lead star, Leonardo DiCaprio. Close behind is Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, receiving 13 nominations. Marty Supreme and Hamnet each garnered eleven nods, while Frankenstein and Sentimental Value received eight nominations apiece.
The five contenders for Best Film include Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, Sinners, and Sentimental Value. Notably, Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet, an adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel about William Shakespeare’s family, has set a new record for the most BAFTA nominations received by a female-directed film.
Complete List of Notable Nominations at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards
Best Film
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
Outstanding British Film
- 28 Years Later
- The Ballad of Wallis Island
- Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
- Die My Love
- H Is for Hawk
- Hamnet
- I Swear
- Mr Burton
- Pillion
- Steve
Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer
- The Ceremony – Jack King (Director, Writer), Hollie Bryan (Producer), Lucy Meer (Producer)
- My Father’s Shadow – Akinola Davies Jr. (Director), Wale Davies (Writer)
- Pillion – Harry Lighton (Director, Writer)
- A Want in Her – Myrid Carten (Director)
- Wasteman – Cal McMau (Director), Hunter Andrews (Writer), Eoin Doran (Writer)
Film Not in the English Language
- It Was Just an Accident
- The Secret Agent
- Sentimental Value
- Sirāt
- The Voice of Hind Rajab
Documentary
- 2000 Meters to Andriivka
- Apocalypse in the Tropics
- Cover-Up
- Mr. Nobody Against Putin
- The Perfect Neighbor
Animated Film
- Elio
- Little Amélie
- Zootropolis 2
Children’s & Family Film
- Arco
- Boong
- Lilo & Stitch
- Zootropolis 2
Director
- Bugonia
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
Original Screenplay
- I Swear
- Marty Supreme
- The Secret Agent
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
Adapted Screenplay
- The Ballad of Wallis Island
- Bugonia
- Hamnet
- One Battle After Another
- Pillion
Leading Actress
- Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)
- Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You)
- Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue)
- Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another)
- Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value)
- Emma Stone (Bugonia)
Leading Actor
- Robert Aramayo (I Swear)
- Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme)
- Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another)
- Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon)
- Michael B. Jordan (Sinners)
- Jesse Plemons (Bugonia)
Supporting Actress
- Odessa A’Zion (Marty Supreme)
- Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Sentimental Value)
- Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners)
- Carey Mulligan (The Ballad of Wallis Island)
- Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another)
- Emily Watson (Hamnet)
Supporting Actor
- Benicio del Toro (One Battle After Another)
- Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein)
- Paul Mescal (Hamnet)
- Peter Mullan (I Swear)
- Sean Penn (One Battle After Another)
- Stellan Skarsgård (Sentimental Value)
Additional Award Categories and Distinguished Talent
The nominations also extend to important technical and artistic categories, including casting, cinematography, editing, costume design, make-up and hair, original score, production design, sound, and special visual effects. Noteworthy individuals recognized include Cassandra Kulukundis for casting One Battle After Another, Dan Laustsen for cinematography on Frankenstein, and Ruth E. Carter for costume design on Sinners.
Furthermore, the EE Rising Star Award candidates include Robert Aramayo, Miles Caton, Chase Infiniti, Archie Madekwe, and Posy Sterling, highlighting emerging talent in the industry.
Looking Ahead: The Significance of This Year’s BAFTA Awards
The BAFTA Film Awards, set to be held on Sunday, February 22, 2026, will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, cementing their status as a vital event in the cinematic calendar. This year’s slate of nominees showcases a rich diversity of films and creative voices, notably the record-setting number of nominations for a female-directed film, Hamnet, underscoring a shift towards greater inclusion.
Edith Bowman’s insights into the BAFTA experience reveal the meaningful connections and unique moments that define the ceremony beyond the glitz and glamour. Her story about Hugh Jackman’s kindness and the intimate conversations with actors like Olivia Colman and Frances McDormand remind fans and viewers alike of the human side of awards night, blending celebration with heartfelt emotion.
As streaming services evolve and studios recommit to theatrical release windows, the BAFTAs reflect broader industry trends, highlighting a future where cinema and television coexist to benefit filmmakers and audiences alike. The partnership with Samsung signals continued innovation in how viewers engage with film from the comfort of their homes, enhancing appreciation for the artistry recognized on this prestigious stage.
