Lights, camera, anticipation! The 77th BAFTA Awards unfurling later this week promises a glittering night celebrating the best of films in 2023. This year’s ceremony boasts a diverse field of contenders, with titans like Oppenheimer carrying 13 nominations and Poor Things entering the arena with 11 nods. However, the most suspense surrounds the Leading Actor and Leading Actress categories in which stars like Margot Robbie, Emma Stone, Cillian Murphy, and Bradley Cooper have all entered the ballot. 

For those rooting for the Oppenheimer actor to cinch the Leading Actor title, a saddening update has just emerged.

The 2024 BAFTA Awards will do this differently

Just a little while ago, Variety revealed that the BAFTAs will air the entire ceremony with a two-hour delay, including the four categories that aired live during the 2023 edition. Among the categories that fans will not be able to see live is the Leading Actor one, for which Cillian Murphy will probably walk away with the win owing to his superb performance in Oppenheimer.

All of these four categories which are being aired on the BBC after the delay are the most prominent ones. Besides Leading Actor, the ones determining winners of Leading Actress, Rising Star, and Best Film will all suffer the same fate. This means that even the possibility of Oppenheimer winning Best Film will be unveiled through the BBC broadcast after the live ceremony. 

Till now, most folks have placed their bets on Cillian Murphy and Oppenheimer’s dominion due to their recent recognition at other events. 

All the nominations Cillian Murphy has bagged for Oppenheimer

Besides the impending announcement of whether the Peaky Blinders star walks away with his BAFTA, he has already taken home a Golden Globe award in the same category earlier this year. Not only that, he also holds an Academy Award nomination for Oppenheimer, which might turn into a win come March. He has garnered similar recognition through the SAG awards and People’s Choice Awards, which gave him a nod in the same categories. 

As for the BAFTA awards, it not only recognized Oppenheimer extensively but also nominated Barbie‘s Margot Robbie in the Leading Actress category, an honor that the Academy Award nominations failed to bestow upon her. Meanwhile, if Murphy manages to win this year, it will mark his first BAFTA win. In the past, he earned nominations but missed on wins for Peaky Blinders and The Wind That Shakes the Barley.

What do you think about the delay in the BAFTAs broadcast? Do you reckon Murphy will win? Share your thoughts in the comments.