Mikey Madison praised for heartfelt sex worker acceptance speech as all Baftas 2025 winners revealed

The 2025 Baftas are complete, with a night of big wins and even bigger surprises (Picture: Getty)

The 2025 Baftas welcomed an array of industry icons to celebrate a stellar 12 months for film, and it’s safe to say we had a few surprises along the way.

Beloved Scottish actor David Tennant, 53, returned as host this year, taking charge of the ceremony for the second consecutive year on a stage in front of the industry’s biggest stars.

Major nominees this year included Netflix musical/thriller Emilia Perez, which was up for 11 awards. Meanwhile, Wicked, The Brutalist, and Anora also hoped to scoop top prizes.

As for individual awards, the best leading actor category featured notable nominees such as Hugh Grant, Ralph Fiennes, Sebastian Stan, Adrien Brody, Colman Domingo, and Timothee Chalamet.

For best leading actress, Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo competed alongside Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Hard Truths), Mikey Madison (Anora), Karla Sofia Gascon (Emilia Perez), and Saoirse Ronan (The Outrun).

Completing the category was Demi Moore, who wowed with her performance in gore-filled horror The Substance.

Mikey Madison won best leading actress for her performance in Anora (Picture: Stuart Wilson/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta) Film fans had expected The Substance star Demi Moore to take the win (Picture: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Fans have long been championing the 62-year-old and declaring that she simply must take home trophies aplenty this awards season. However, a best actress Bafta wasn’t to be one of them.

Instead, the award went to Madison, 25, who plays Anti in comedy/romance Anora, a film about a sex worker who falls for a Russian oligarch.

Madison thanked her mother, saying in her speech that ‘she’s driven [her] to so many auditions’, while also heaping praise on her fellow cast.

She added in a heartfelt moment: ‘I want to take a second to recognise the sex worker community; you deserve respect and decency, and I… (urge) others to do the same.’

While many were overjoyed to see Madison scoop in the prestigious category, plenty admitted their shock, having expected Moore to emerge victorious.

‘Mikey Madison won the best actress #BAFTAs and I’m so so happy for her but I know we’re all wondering how it wasn’t Demi Moore. I’m literally just like ….’, wrote ThatBrashBlonde.

Keen to praise Madison’s performance, though, judyju18 said her win was a ‘pleasant surprise’.

An emotional Adrien Brody accepted the Bafta for best leading actor for his performance in The Brutalist (Picture: Stuart Wilson/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta) In a tearful moment, Warwick Davis accepted his fellowship award (Picture: Stuart Wilson/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)

Audiences also praised her ‘kind heart’ for honouring sex workers in her speech, with NishaMeshr01 adding that her ‘dedication to the sex worker community is truly commendable and highlights an often overlooked group.’

Film fanatics now believe the road to the Oscars is now a straight race between Madison and Moore for the best actress gong, with Moore already having a Golden Globe and Critics Choice under her belt.

As for best actor, tonight the Bafta went to American star Adrien Brody for playing a Hungarian-Jewish architect in The Brutalist.

Brody said the film was about ‘pursing something meaningful’, which he believes is ‘something we can all relate to’.

‘I want to thank the Bafta and the voters, and I want to thank the British public for embracing me and my endeavours,’ he added, while referencing recent stage work in London, saying ‘England has felt like home’.

‘For everyone who has rooted for me along the way, I am so thankful,’ he also said. ‘Thank you to my wonderful, beautiful girlfriend Georgina Chapman; if it wasn’t for my wonderful parents and you, I wouldn’t be here.’

Other major wins included Conclave taking home four, including outstanding British film. The papal drama ties with The Brutalist, which also won four gongs, including a director acknowledgement for Brady Corbet.

Emilia Perez star Zoe Saldana took home one of the musical’s 11 nominations for supporting actress (Picture: Stuart Wilson/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta) Jesse Eisenberg accepted the supporting actor award, on behalf of Kieran Culkin for A Real Pain (Picture: Stuart Wilson/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)

Elsewhere, Nathan Crowley and Lee Sandales won best production design for their dazzling visual work on the musical fantasy Wicked, and Dune delivered UK success in the category of best sound.

Succession star Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldana were victorious in the supporting actor categories, and Netflix musical Emilia Perez had the film not in the English language gong among its two wins.

Animated film Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl was named the winner of the children’s and family film award, as well as taking home the animated film gong.

Finally, a special award went to Warwick Davis, 55, who was presented his prestigious Bafta fellowship by Harry Potter co-star Tom Felton.

An emotional Davis paid tribute to his wife Samantha, who died last year, and thanked his children for their support.

As the ceremony got underway this evening, host Tennant kicked off with a sketch performance of The Proclaimers’ hit I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).

Launching into his comedic monologue, Tennant then took aim at the recently re-elected US President Donald Trump, not once, not twice, but three times.

Scottish actor David Tennant kicked off the ceremony with a musical number (Picture: Stuart Wilson/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta) The Doctor Who icon hosted the ceremony and attended with his wife, Georgia (Picture: John Phillips/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta)

It started with a swing at controversial biopic The Apprentice, which received three Bafta noms.

Tennant quipped that fellow nominee The Brutalist is ‘a film about incredible architecture.’ He added: ‘In fact, it’s the boldest architecture in film this year, apart from Donald Trump’s hair in The Apprentice.’

The presenter continued: ‘Donald Trump, he says he hasn’t seen The Apprentice because it’s a 15. It’s not on Nickelodeon.

‘Donald Trump… I’m worried. I’ve said his name three times. It’s like Beetlejuice—I have summoned him. And talking of villains…’

He then moved to talk about two horror films nominated this year, including Nosferatu and Heretic.

Elsewhere in his opener, Tennant said he had been belting out Wicked song Defying Gravity, which he joked ‘didn’t go down well’ with the audiences while he was watching The Brutalist.

He also made a gag about sitting down to watch the ‘gritty Narcos thriller’ Emilia Perez, only to discover it was a musical.

Fans feared Wicked actress Ariana Grande was about to snub the ceremony (Picture: Kate Green/Getty Images) Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo was nominated for a big prize, but went home empty-handed (Picture: John Phillips/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta) Elphaba and Glinda greeted one another with a warm embrace (Picture: Dave Benett/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta) 62-year-old Moore wowed with her ageless beauty as The Substance star wore a sequin gown (Picture: Ian West/PA Wire) Comment nowWhich Bafta win or snub surprised you the most?Comment Now

Other big nominees tonight included Wicked actresses and singers Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who went home empty-handed.

Grammy winner Grande, 31, was spotted touching down at JFK airport in New York just yesterday, leaving social media users to wonder if she had somewhere more important to be than the Baftas.

However, it seemed to have been a false alarm, as Ariana arrived shortly after her co-stars, wearing a very low-cut gown featuring a dramatic, puffy pink skirt, custom-designed by Louis Vuitton.

She was accompanied by Elphaba actress Erivo, who turned heads in a quirky white lace number.

Also spotted on the red carpet this weekend was Molly-Mae Hague, who put in a surprise appearance after weeks of making headlines with her personal life.

The 25-year-old Maebe founder hit the headlines earlier this year when she split from her soon-to-be husband, Tommy Fury, with whom she shares daughter Bambi.

Putting on a smile as she mingled with the stars at this year’s Baftas, the former Love Islander looked super chic in all black.

25-year-old influencer Molly-Mae Hague looked stunning in a chic black outfit (Picture: Ian West/PA Wire) Adam Pearson larked around with photographers on the red carpet (Picture: Tristan Fewings/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta) An angelic-looking Pamela Anderson presented an award tonight (Picture: Mike Marsland/WireImage)

She styled a structured cropped blazer with a plunging neckline with a fitted skirt, styling her blonde locks in her signature bun.

Joining Hauge on the carpet was Jeff Goldblum putting on a romantic display with Emilie Livingston, whom he married in 2014.

The 72-year-old Wicked star was every inch the Hollywood icon in a white bow tie, injecting some of the Emerald City magic with a green patterned waistcoat.

Goldblum, who plays the Wizard in Jon M. Chu’s movie musical, later took to the stage, playing piano during the In Memoriam segment, which remembered the likes of Dame Maggie Smith, James Earl Jones, and Shelley Duvall.

Another star strutting their stuff for paparazzi was a bare-faced Pamela Anderson, with The Last Showgirl’s leading lady looking angelic in white.

Anderson, best known for her iconic role in Baywatch, attended the event as a presenter. Although she was overlooked for her performance in Gia Coppola’s drama, the 57-year-old star handed out best leading actor.

Other presenters at the ceremony include Emilia Perez stars Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez, although co-star Gascon has remained absent due to recent controversy over resurfaced social media posts from 2019 to 2024.

A Complete Unknown star Timothée Chalamet was nominated for best supporting actor (Picture: John Phillips/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta) Kylie Jenner skipped the carpet to allow her boyfriend to bask in the limelight (Picture: Stuart Wilson/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta) Heretic nominee Hugh Grant beamed alongside his wife Anna Eberstein (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock) Colman Domingo’s cape was a sight to behold (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)

Pop sensation Camila Cabello, The Lord of the Rings actor Orlando Bloom, and Scottish actor James McAvoy also handed out trophies.

Musical performances added to the evening’s allure, with British pop band Take That singing their hit song Greatest Day from the film Anora.

Notably absent will be the Prince of Wales, president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, who will miss this year’s event.

He was, however, present in the form of a pre-recorded message celebrating this year’s rising stars.

This award went to 31-year-old David Jonsson, who recently starred in Alien: Romulus. His credits also include TV series Industry as well as the 2023 romantic comedy Rye Lane.

Speaking ahead of the event on the red carpet, Bafta chief executive Jane Millichip told the PA news agency that the awards would be a ‘really wide open race’ as she had ‘no idea’ how to call the winners.

James Norton was among dapper arrivals in a black tux (Picture: John Phillips/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta) Even Wallace and Gromit put in an appearance, ahead of taking home two trophies (Picture: Joe Maher/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta) Kneecap was recognised for outstanding British film (Picture: Ian West/PA Wire) Selena Gomez looked gorgeous in an embellished gown after confirming her return to music (Picture: John Phillips/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta) Orlando Bloom brought some Hollywood glamour to the carpet, flying solo without Katy Perry by his side (Picture: by John Phillips/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta) Irish actress Saoirse Ronan injected colour to a demure satin look with a bold red lip (Picture: Ian West/PA Wire) Take That stars Mark Owen, Gary Barlow, and Howard Donald performed tonight (Picture: Kate Green/Getty Images)

She also said: ‘I think the viewing public in the UK has always welcomed films not in the English language, whether they’re subtitled or dubbed. We mostly subtitle in the UK, so I don’t think it’s a stretch for British audiences to watch and welcome these films.

‘So the film not in the English language is a really important category for me. I think also the range of films, the number of countries represented, and the languages. I mean, it’s fantastic to have an Irish film (Kneecap) in Irish; I mean, that’s great.’

Catch up with the 2025 Bafta Film Awards on BBC iPlayer.

Full list of Bafta 2025 winners

Film - Conclave

Leading actress - Mikey Madison, Anora

Leading actor - Adrien Brody, The Brutalist

Director - Brady Corbet, The Brutalist

EE Rising star - David Jonsson, Alien: Romulus

Outstanding British film - Conclave

Make-up and hair - The Substance

Costume design - Wicked

Short animation - Wander To Wonder

Short film -  Rock, Paper, Scissors

Documentary - Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story

Supporting actor - Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain

Supporting actress - Zoe Saldana, Emilia Perez

Cinematography - The Brutalist

Casting - Sean Baker and Samantha Quan, Anora

Editing - Conclave

Adapted screenplay - Conclave

Original screenplay - A Real Pain

Original score - The Brutalist

Sound - Dune: Part Two

Film not in the English language - Emilia Perez

Production design - Wicked

Outstanding debut by a British writer, director, and producer - Rich Peppiatt (Kneecap)

Children's and family film - Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

Special visual effects - Dune: Part Two

Animated film - Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl