BAFTA has tapped Alan Cumming to host the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards, handing the microphone to the Scottish actor and presenter for the ceremony on 22 February 2026 at London’s Royal Festival Hall. The show will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with Cumming succeeding David Tennant after Tennant’s recent turns as host. Cumming said he is “back in the BAFTA fold” and wants a night that salutes “creativity and craftsmanship,” while still leaving space “to have a laugh” and “create some mischief.”
BAFTA tied the booking to Cumming’s current profile as host and producer of The Traitors US, where his theatrical, knowing persona has become part of the format’s appeal. The academy also pointed to his earlier hosting gig at the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards and a career that moves across theatre, film and television, including major stage recognition for Cabaret and screen recognition for The Good Wife. Emma Baehr, BAFTA’s executive director of awards and content, praised Cumming’s “sharp wit” and “warmth,” and teased the “extraordinary outfits” he could bring to the Royal Festival Hall stage.
The appointment lands with clear broadcast pressure on awards shows to deliver audience attention across platforms. BAFTA said the February 2025 film ceremony averaged 3 million viewers on BBC One and drew over 64 million video views across BAFTA’s social channels. The 2026 film awards will again cover 25 competitive categories voted on by BAFTA members. First-round voting opened on 5 December 2025, with longlists set for 9 January, EE Rising Star nominees due 14 January, and nominations scheduled for 27 January.
Cumming steps in while BAFTA keeps reshaping its voting body after the 2020 #BaftasSoWhite flashpoint. In its latest annual membership update, BAFTA reported nearly 14,000 members and said it has reached its five-year targets for representation across minority ethnic groups (19.85%), Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent members (12.84%), and LGB+ members (13.29%). The academy remains short of its 50% target for members who identify as women, with women currently 43% of membership; BAFTA said 51% of new members joining since 2020 identify as women.
