2026 BAFTAs: "In Memoriam" Segment Causes Viewer Anger on BBC One

Many viewers were unhappy with the "In Memoriam" segment at the 2026 BAFTAs, calling it "unnecessary." This happened during the BBC One broadcast.
By Newsroom | Entertainment, Awards |

The 2026 British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) ceremony, broadcast on BBC One, has drawn significant viewer criticism due to a perceived "unnecessary" segment. While the event celebrated cinematic achievements and saw major wins for films like "One Battle After Another" and "Sinners," many watching at home expressed discontent, with outrage mounting within minutes of the broadcast. The core of the backlash appears to be directed at the timing and presentation of the "In Memoriam" segment, which honors industry figures lost over the past year.

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The 2026 BAFTAs took place at London's Royal Festival Hall, hosted by Alan Cumming. The ceremony, considered a premier event in British cinema, attracted notable attendees, including Prince William and Princess Kate. Major awards were distributed, with Wunmi Mosaku securing the Best Supporting Actress award for "Sinners." The film "One Battle After Another" led nominations and saw significant wins, including for Best Cinematography, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn. Other key films recognized included "Frankenstein" and "Marty Supreme." The event was broadcast on BBC One and streamed on BBC iPlayer, with viewers in the UK able to watch from 7:00 pm GMT.

Read More: Wunmi Mosaku Wins Best Supporting Actress at 2026 BAFTAs for "Sinners"

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"In Memoriam" Segment Sparks Outrage

Viewers watching the BAFTAs broadcast expressed widespread dissatisfaction with a particular segment of the show. Reports indicate that frustration began to surface very early in the ceremony.

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  • The "In Memoriam" section, intended to commemorate individuals from the film industry who passed away in the preceding year, became a focal point of this discontent.

  • Singer Jesse Ware performed the 1973 song "The Way We Were" during this segment.

  • The Express reported that viewers were "outraged within minutes," with frustration building quickly as the broadcast progressed.

Key Award Winners and Nominees

The 2026 BAFTAs saw several films and actors recognized for their contributions to cinema.

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  • Best Supporting Actress: Wunmi Mosaku for "Sinners."

  • Best Supporting Actor: Sean Penn for "One Battle After Another."

  • "One Battle After Another" was a prominent winner, taking home awards for:

  • Best Adapted Screenplay

  • Best Cinematography

  • Outstanding British Film (though other sources list "Sinners" for this, suggesting potential discrepancies or different award categories)

  • "Sinners" also achieved notable wins, including:

  • Best Original Screenplay

  • Best Original Score

  • Best Costume Design

  • Other films with multiple nominations and wins included "Frankenstein" and "Marty Supreme."

  • The Best Leading Actor category featured nominees such as Leonardo DiCaprio for "One Battle After Another" and Timothée Chalamet for "Marty Supreme."

  • Sean Penn was notably present to accept his award, while reports mentioned an awkward moment regarding Stellan Skarsgård's absence for his nominated role.

Event Details and Broadcast Information

The ceremony was a high-profile event, attracting both film professionals and public figures.

  • The BAFTAs were held at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

  • The event was hosted by Alan Cumming.

  • Red carpet arrivals included Sadie Sink, Noah Jupe, and Paddington Bear.

  • The ceremony was broadcast live in the UK on BBC One and available for streaming on BBC iPlayer. The broadcast commenced at 7:00 pm GMT.

  • While the ceremony unfolded live in London, the broadcast was delayed for some viewers.

Viewer Reactions and Criticisms

Public response to the "In Memoriam" segment was largely negative across social media and news reports.

  • The segment was described as "unnecessary" by a significant portion of the audience.

  • Viewer frustration was evident early in the broadcast.

  • The Guardian noted an instance where a winner, Sean Penn, was not present to collect his award.

Expert Analysis

Details on expert analysis regarding the "In Memoriam" segment's reception were not available within the provided data. The focus of the reports remained on viewer reactions and award outcomes.

Read More: Wunmi Mosaku Wins Best Supporting Actress at 2026 BAFTAs for Sinners

Conclusion

The 2026 BAFTAs ceremony, while celebrating cinematic achievements with multiple award wins for films like "One Battle After Another" and "Sinners," was overshadowed by a significant wave of viewer dissatisfaction concerning the "In Memoriam" segment. Reports indicate that the presentation of this tribute, featuring a musical performance by Jesse Ware, was perceived as "unnecessary" by many and led to immediate criticism. Key awards were presented to individuals like Wunmi Mosaku and Sean Penn, with "One Battle After Another" emerging as a leading film of the night. The broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer provided live coverage, though viewer feedback suggests that the ceremony's content, specifically the memorial segment, became a point of contention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why were viewers angry about the 2026 BAFTAs "In Memoriam" segment?
Many viewers watching the BAFTAs on BBC One felt the "In Memoriam" segment was "unnecessary" and expressed their frustration quickly during the broadcast.
Q: What happened during the "In Memoriam" segment at the 2026 BAFTAs?
The segment, which honors people from the film industry who died in the past year, featured a performance by singer Jesse Ware. The timing and presentation caused many viewers to become upset.
Q: Which films won big at the 2026 BAFTAs?
The film "One Battle After Another" won several awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Cinematography. "Sinners" also won awards like Best Original Screenplay.
Q: Who won acting awards at the 2026 BAFTAs?
Wunmi Mosaku won Best Supporting Actress for "Sinners," and Sean Penn won Best Supporting Actor for "One Battle After Another."
Q: Where and when was the 2026 BAFTAs ceremony held and broadcast?
The ceremony took place at the Royal Festival Hall in London and was broadcast live on BBC One and streamed on BBC iPlayer starting at 7:00 pm GMT.