3 weeks ago
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February 23, 2026 — 9:24am
Australian star Rose Byrne missed out on BAFTA glory on Monday, losing in the leading actress category to Hamnet star Jessie Buckley. The latter actress, who is a favourite to win at the Academy Awards next month, is the first Irish star to win in the category at the British Academy Film Awards.
Buckley drew laughter from the crowd while accepting her trophy, touching on everything from her past terrible spray tans to working for the “naughty girls”.
“This is nuts,” she said on stage at the Royal Festival Hall in London. “This really does belong to the women past, present and future that have taught me and continue to teach me how to do it differently.”
She then proceeded to list her fellow leading actress nominees, including Byrne (who was nominated for her gripping role in A24’s If I Had Legs I’d Kick You), Chase Infiniti and Emma Stone. However, she quickly lost her train of thought, asking the crowd to help her remember her remaining nominees (Kate Hudson and Renate Reinsve).
“You’re all just radical, and you’re doing it for the naughty girls, and I’m in awe of all your incredible performances. Thank you,” she said.
More to come.
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