Alan Cumming set to host BAFTA Film Awards 2026

Alan Cumming has been named host of the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards, which will take place on February 22 at London’s Royal Festival Hall.

The actor, writer and producer succeeds David Tennant, who fronted the ceremony in 2024 and 2025. While Cumming has previously hosted the BAFTA Television Awards and a range of major U.S. ceremonies, this will mark his first time leading BAFTA’s flagship film event.

Cumming said he was pleased to return to the BAFTA stage in a hosting role, describing the ceremony as an opportunity to celebrate filmmaking craft while keeping the evening lively. The 2026 show will air on BBC One and stream internationally.

BAFTA executives pointed to Cumming’s experience and screen presence as key factors in the decision. Emma Baehr, BAFTA’s executive director of awards and content, said the organisation expects him to bring warmth, humour and energy to the evening as it honours the year’s most acclaimed films.

Cumming’s career spans more than four decades across film, television and theatre. His screen credits include GoldenEye, X2: X-Men United, Eyes Wide Shut and Emma, with an upcoming role in Avengers: Doomsday. On television, he earned both a Golden Globe and an Emmy for The Good Wife and has recently gained renewed visibility as host and executive producer of the U.S. edition of The Traitors, which has collected multiple Emmy and Critics’ Choice Awards.

The 2025 BAFTA Film Awards broadcast attracted an average television audience of approximately 3 million viewers, alongside tens of millions of views across BAFTA’s digital platform.

Voting for the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards opened on December 5. Longlists will be announced on January 9, with nominations to be revealed on January 27, ahead of the February ceremony.