Cinema enthusiasts who watched the BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday night (16th February) were left incensed, claiming a notable snub overshadowed the event.
Doctor Who alumnus David Tennant presided over the ceremony, which attracted Hollywood and British luminaries to London’s Royal Festival Hall.
The religious thriller Conclave dominated with 12 nominations and secured both Best Film and Outstanding British Film accolades.
Yet, many had high hopes for the blockbuster musical Wicked to garner its share of honours.
Despite nods for Best Film, and Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande contending for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress respectively, Wicked only claimed two awards.
The Broadway musical adaptation triumphed in Best Costume Design and Best Production Design categories, leaving fans expecting much more.
Disgruntled viewers vented on X (formerly Twitter) during the awards show. One viewer lamented, “Who did Wicked p*** off at BAFTA?! What a joke. That film deserves all of the awards.”
Another expressed their frustration, saying, “Wicked has been robbed tonight!” while another concurred, “Wicked [has] been robbed on every single award they’ve been up for in the awards season. IN MY OPINION!!!!”
A fourth commented on the perceived bias, stating, “Also the fact Wicked was not nominated for Best Picture reeks of musical snobbery.”
Another viewer felt aggrieved, remarking, “Are you joking me. Wicked has been robbed left right and centre.”
In this reimagined tale of the Wizard of Oz, Erivo takes on the role of Elphaba Thropp, the infamous young sorceress destined to become the Wicked Witch of the West. Meanwhile, Grande steps into the shoes of her college nemesis Galinda, better known as Glinda the Good Witch.
Despite stellar performances, many of the film’s fans expressed their dissatisfaction with the BAFTA results where Grande was overlooked, suggesting bias in the voting.
“So ariana didn’t win supporting actress and cynthia didn’t win leading actress im convinced the baftas are rigged,” vented one disappointed fan. “Ariana grande ROBBED by the baftas…. oscars im watching you,” another fan asserted strongly.
Yet another voiced their frustration: “Sorry but ariana grande has been robbed AGAIN. if she doesn’t win this oscar im gonna go crazy #BAFTAs.”
Both Erivo and Grande can look forward to the Academy Awards as they’ve clinched nominations, although they’re up against tough contenders.
With Zoe Saldaña achieving recognition for Emilia Perez and Mikey Madison acknowledged for Anora, it remains to be seen who will take home an Oscar.
The BAFTA Film Awards 2025 are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.