As the UK television industry gears up for its most prestigious celebration, the BAFTA TV Awards 2025 has confirmed an impressive lineup of talent for the ceremony scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 11th at London’s Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall.
The afternoon in-person event, broadcasting at 7pm BST, promises to deliver a blend of star-studded performances and recognition of Britain’s finest small-screen achievements.
Alan Cumming, the versatile Scottish-American actor known for his chameleon-like ability to transform between characters, will take the hosting reins, bringing his theatrical panache to television’s big night. “Mr Bates vs the Post Office” starring Toby Jones is anticipated to be a frontrunner among the nominees.
Master of transformation Alan Cumming steps into the spotlight as BAFTA’s ringmaster, promising theatrical flair for TV’s glittering showcase.
Meanwhile, comedians Suzi Ruffell and Tom Allen will handle red carpet duties, likely peppering celebrity interviews with their trademark wit, as Will Best drops beats as the official carpet DJ—because nothing says “prestigious awards ceremony” quite like a soundtrack to accompany awkward posing.
Music enthusiasts have particular reason to tune in as Jessie J makes her triumphant return to British television after a six-year hiatus, joining Tom Grennan for what promises to be standout performances.
The ceremony will also feature a poignant In Memoriam segment accompanied by acclaimed violinist Esther Abrami, certainly creating one of those rare television moments where it’s acceptable to openly weep into your takeaway dinner.
The awards celebrate programming first transmitted in the UK during 2024, spotlighting both traditional broadcasters and digital platforms. Red carpet arrivals will be available to watch through a dedicated live stream on YouTube starting at 3:15pm, giving fans early access to the glamour.
International content is welcome too—provided there’s sufficient UK editorial control to claim it as “practically British,” much like how everyone claims Irish actors after they’ve won something big.
Viewers needn’t fret about missing a moment, with options including BBC One and iPlayer for UK audiences, BritBox for North Americans, and various social platforms for behind-the-scenes glimpses, proving that BAFTA understands the modern audience’s pathological fear of missing out.
Beyond the glitz, the ceremony underscores BAFTA’s commitment to industry initiatives addressing diversity and workplace culture, marking these awards as not just a celebration of content, but of the evolving landscape of television production itself.