David Tennant Spills: BAFTAs Now Hollywood's Hottest Oscar Preview

Max Sterling, 2/3/2025David Tennant reflects on the BAFTAs' rise as Hollywood's key Oscar precursor, noting its significance in a global film industry. With diverse nominations and a new focus on collaboration, the ceremony set for February 16 signals a transformative era for cinema.

"It's become number two to the Oscars, I think. We're definitely still outright for the Oscars, but I think it's right up there," observes David Tennant, the beloved Scottish actor who's returning to helm the ceremony. The Doctor Who star — whose self-effacing charm has become something of a British cultural export — brings a refreshing candor to his role as master of ceremonies.

The entertainment landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years, with the BAFTAs emerging as an increasingly reliable Oscar predictor. The British ceremony has transformed from a quaint local affair into what industry insiders consider the season's most crucial precursor to Academy Award glory — a metamorphosis that reflects the UK film industry's expanding influence in global cinema.

"It certainly feels like Britain, as a production hub, is absolutely thrumming," Tennant notes, his trademark enthusiasm evident as he discusses the industry's evolution. "There's a lot of studio space here now. It feels like there's a new one opening every couple of weeks and the world is coming here to make its films."

This year's nomination slate seems to support his assessment. Edward Berger's Vatican drama "Conclave" leads the pack with 12 nominations, followed closely by "Emilia Pérez" with 11 nods and "The Brutalist" with nine — a diverse mix that showcases both British talent and international collaboration.

Perhaps most telling is Tennant's approach to his hosting duties — a philosophy that perfectly encapsulates the ceremony's growing sophistication. "You do learn in the midst of it that everyone who's there has an agenda, absolutely understandably," he reflects. "The people up for awards have an agenda, the people who are presenting awards have an agenda... You've just got to keep it smooth."

The host's revelation about his role proves particularly illuminating: "That was quite liberating, once I realized, 'You know what? It doesn't matter what I do. It's not really about me. I just have to queue up the next person.'" This self-aware stance — treating himself as a facilitator rather than the star — mirrors the BAFTAs' own evolution into a serious industry platform rather than merely a celebration of British cinema.

In an era where streaming platforms and international co-productions have blurred traditional industry boundaries, the BAFTAs have positioned themselves at the intersection of global film culture. "As these things get a bit more global, it's harder to say 'That's a British film,' or 'That's an American film,' because it feels like one big industry," Tennant observes, adding with characteristic British understatement, "[But] this country feels like it's punching above its weight."

The ceremony — set for February 16 at London's Royal Festival Hall — arrives at a crucial moment for the industry. With the post-strike entertainment landscape slowly regaining its momentum, the BAFTAs stand poised to deliver not just a preview of Oscar night, but a statement about cinema's increasingly borderless future.

In the glittering constellation of film awards, the BAFTAs have quietly but decisively carved out their position as Hollywood's most prestigious warm-up act — a development that even its returning host seems pleasantly surprised by."It's become number two to the Oscars, I think. We're definitely still outright for the Oscars, but I think it's right up there," observes David Tennant, the beloved Scottish actor who's returning to helm the ceremony. The Doctor Who star — whose self-effacing charm has become something of a British cultural export — brings a refreshing candor to his role as master of ceremonies.The entertainment landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years, with the BAFTAs emerging as an increasingly reliable Oscar predictor. The British ceremony has transformed from a quaint local affair into what industry insiders consider the season's most crucial precursor to Academy Award glory — a metamorphosis that reflects the UK film industry's expanding influence in global cinema."It certainly feels like Britain, as a production hub, is absolutely thrumming," Tennant notes, his trademark enthusiasm evident as he discusses the industry's evolution. "There's a lot of studio space here now. It feels like there's a new one opening every couple of weeks and the world is coming here to make its films."This year's nomination slate seems to support his assessment. Edward Berger's Vatican drama "Conclave" leads the pack with 12 nominations, followed closely by "Emilia Pérez" with 11 nods and "The Brutalist" with nine — a diverse mix that showcases both British talent and international collaboration.Perhaps most telling is Tennant's approach to his hosting duties — a philosophy that perfectly encapsulates the ceremony's growing sophistication. "You do learn in the midst of it that everyone who's there has an agenda, absolutely understandably," he reflects. "The people up for awards have an agenda, the people who are presenting awards have an agenda... You've just got to keep it smooth."The host's revelation about his role proves particularly illuminating: "That was quite liberating, once I realized, 'You know what? It doesn't matter what I do. It's not really about me. I just have to queue up the next person.'" This self-aware stance — treating himself as a facilitator rather than the star — mirrors the BAFTAs' own evolution into a serious industry platform rather than merely a celebration of British cinema.In an era where streaming platforms and international co-productions have blurred traditional industry boundaries, the BAFTAs have positioned themselves at the intersection of global film culture. "As these things get a bit more global, it's harder to say 'That's a British film,' or 'That's an American film,' because it feels like one big industry," Tennant observes, adding with characteristic British understatement, "[But] this country feels like it's punching above its weight."The ceremony — set for February 16 at London's Royal Festival Hall — arrives at a crucial moment for the industry. With the post-strike entertainment landscape slowly regaining its momentum, the BAFTAs stand poised to deliver not just a preview of Oscar night, but a statement about cinema's increasingly borderless future.