TV’s Big Night Unwrapped

London’s Royal Festival Hall pulsed with glamour last night as the 2025 BAFTA TV Awards brought together the crème de la crème of British television. Under the witty guidance of host Alan Cumming, the South Bank venue transformed into a celebration of storytelling excellence, with a condensed broadcast airing later on BBC One for viewers across the UK.

Leading the charge this year was Baby Reindeer, a darkly gripping limited series helmed by creator-star Richard Gadd, which emerged as the most nominated production with eight nods. It faced fierce competition from prestige titles like Rivals (starring David Tennant), espionage thriller Slow Horses with Gary Oldman, and the powerful real-life drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office.

Who Took Home Gold?

In the headline categories, Mr Loverman stole the spotlight with Lennie James clinching Leading Actor, while Marisa Abela won Leading Actress for her compelling turn in Industry. Meanwhile, Mr Bates vs The Post Office dominated Limited Drama, adding weight to a national conversation still echoing from its real-world events.

Blue Lights, a gritty procedural drama set in Northern Ireland, was crowned Best Drama Series, solidifying its place as one of the year’s standout stories.

Over in comedy, Ruth Jones gave fans one last gift in her iconic role as Nessa, taking home Female Comedy Performance for Gavin and Stacey: The Finale. Danny Dyer also found laughter in acclaim, earning Best Male Comedy Performance for Mr Bigstuff.

A Moment to Remember

One of the night’s most touching segments was the P&O Cruises Memorable Moment Award, decided by public vote. The honor went to Strictly Come Dancing for Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell’s emotional waltz to “You’ll Never Walk Alone” — a scene that united viewers in goosebumps.

Craft, Creativity, and New Voices

The night wasn’t just about on-screen talent. In the Craft categories, Richard Gadd picked up the Drama Writing award for Baby Reindeer, further affirming his position as one of television’s most provocative emerging voices. “I never imagined a story so personal would resonate with so many,” Gadd noted in a humble backstage reflection.

Other highlights included Shōgun winning for Photography and Lighting in Fiction, and To Catch a Copper taking the top honor in Factual Series. Newcomers like Lucia Keskin (Things You Should Have Done) and Jaber Badwan (Kill Zone: Inside Gaza) also received recognition, signaling a bold new wave of storytellers.