Famous actor Denzel Washington has not received a BAFTA nomination again, this time for his performance in Gladiator II. The British film academy revealed its shortlist on Wednesday, continuing Washington’s 45-year absence without any awards from Britain’s top film prizes.
Washington, 70, plays Macrinus, a former slave who plans to take over Rome in Ridley Scott’s historical movie. He was on the first top-ten list but didn’t make it to the final six choices. Instead, actors Kieran Culkin (“A Real Pain”) and Guy Pearce (“The Brutalist”) were recognized for their supporting parts.
It’s noticeable that something is missing because of Washington’s great success. He has received nine Oscar nominations and won two, along with over 270 awards, in his 40 years of playing. The British Academy still ignores his acts, even the ones that have won important awards elsewhere.
This pattern features some of his most admired parts. His performances as Malcolm X in 1992, “Training Day” in 2001, and his most recent work as Lord Macbeth in 2021 went unrecognized by BAFTA. Even his well-known work in “Fences” (2016), where he both directed and acted, didn’t get him a nomination, although his co-star Viola Davis won for her supporting part.
Experts have pointed out a few reasons for these mistakes, including the timing of movie releases in the UK and some general problems with the BAFTA voting method. In 2020, BAFTA changed its nomination method because of criticism related to diversity.
The current method divides the selection process. A jury selects three actors, and BAFTA members choose seven more to make a longlist for each category. Despite these changes, Washington’s work continues to go unrecognized by the British Academy.
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As the actor is being considered for a possible tenth Oscar nomination, many are surprised that he hasn’t received any recognition from BAFTA. With over 65 films and more than 40 years in the business, Washington’s lack of BAFTA nominations is a notable omission from the annals of British cinema.
