He also picked up the EE Rising Star Award on a memorable night
Robert Aramayo with the Leading Actor Award for ‘I Swear’ and the EE Rising Star Award during the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall(Image: Getty Images for BAFTA)
Hull actor Robert Aramayo beat the odds to be named Best Actor in a Leading Role at this year’s BAFTAs. Though many pundits had predicted Timothée Chalamet would take home the gong for Marty Supreme, Robert clinched the award for his powerful portrayal of Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson MBE in I Swear.
Other actors nominated in the leading actor category including Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon, Michael B Jordan for Sinners, and Jesse Plemons for Bugonia.
Robert, 33, appeared emotional during his acceptance speech. He said: “I honestly cannot believe that I have won this award.” He thanked fellow nominee Ethan Hawke, and said: “Everyone in this category blows me away.
“When I was in school, Ethan Hawke came in to speak to us in Julliard and he gave an amazing talk on longevity as an actor, about protecting your instrument and avoiding self-destructive behaviours, and it had a great impact on everyone in the room.
“So to be in this category with you tonight is incredible. Thank you Ethan.”
This wasn’t the only award Robert took home in the star-studded evening at London’s Royal Festival Hall. Earlier on, the actor, who was a member of Hull Truck Youth Theatre, also bagged the EE Rising Star Award, which was voted on by the public. Collecting the trophy, he said: “This is really scary, last time I was at Bafta I dropped the award so hopefully this will go better.”
He added: “I can’t believe this, it really blows my mind.”
Referring to Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson, on whom I Swear is based, he said: “John Davidson is the most remarkable person I’ve ever met and he believes there is so much more we need to learn about Tourette’s. In the words of the film, they need support and understanding.”
He continued: “This means the world to me, I can’t believe it.”
I Swear also won the BAFTA for casting and was nominated for Outstanding British Film, supporting actor (Peter Mullen), and original screenplay.
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