BAFTAs 2026: ‘proud’ Leeds United fan Robert Aramayo wins Best Actor over Hollywood favourites
A ‘proud’ Leeds United fan beat off competition from Hollywood heavyweights to be named best actor at the BAFTA awards last night.
Hull-born Robert Aramayo, 33, took home the gong last night (February 22) for his role in I Swear, a biographical drama based on the true story of John Davidson, a Scottish man with Tourette syndrome.
He was perhaps not the favourite to win the award, facing a strong line-up of nominees including Leonardo DiCaprio (for One Battle After Another), Timothee Chalamet (for Marty Supreme) and Ethan Hawke (for Blue Moon).
But in addition to bagging best actor, Aramayo also picked up the rising star award, the only category of the night decided by a public vote.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post last week, Robert said: “Growing up, going to Elland Road with my dad and that community experience of watching the game has always been really special and a big part of my childhood.
“I’m a very proud Yorkshireman and I love going back to Hull and to watch the games in Leeds. I feel very connected to where I come from.”
Originally from Hull, Aramayo graduated from the Juilliard School in New York and has built up a number of film and TV credits, including starring as Elrond in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power TV series.
He also appeared in Annemarie Jacir’s historical drama Palestine 36 and portrayed a young Eddard Stark in Game Of Thrones.
Accepting the rising star prize, he said: “This is really scary, last time I was at Bafta I dropped the award, so hopefully this will go better.”
He added: “I can’t believe this, it really blows my mind. John Davidson is the most remarkable person I’ve ever met and he believes there is so much more we need to learn about Tourette’s.
“In the words of the film, they need support and understanding.” He continued: “This means the world to me, I can’t believe it.”
His portrayal of Davidson has also won the actor the British Independent Film Award (Bifa) for best lead performance, beating the likes of Cillian Murphy and Jennifer Lawrence.