Zero Black Women Have Won BAFTAs’ Best Actress Category in 76 Years, So When Will They?
variety.comClayton Davis Senior Awards Editor In the history of Black leading actresses at prestigious award shows, Halle Berry’s triumph for “Monster’s Ball” at the Oscars stands prominently, while the BAFTAs lack a similar honoree, and the upcoming Sunday ceremony seems unlikely to change that.
This year’s roster of lead actress nominees boasts a diverse array of talents. Vivian Oparah garnered attention for her breakthrough role in the romantic drama “Rye Lane,” alongside Fantasia Barrino‘s captivating performance in the musical adaptation of “The Color Purple.” Also vying for the coveted title are Oscar nominated actresses Sandra Hüller (“Anatomy of a Fall”), Carey Mulligan (“Maestro”) and Emma Stone (“Poor Things”), with Margot Robbie (“Barbie”), who’s recognized in the best picture category as a producer.
Speculation abounds among pundits and prognosticators, all anticipating a win for one of the three Oscar-nominated women, setting the stage for another year where Black actresses may find themselves overlooked. Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Oscars predictions in all categories.
In response to the viral #BAFTAsSoWhite hashtag in 2015, BAFTA pledged to overhaul its nomination process. In 2020, then-chairman Krishnendu Majumdar committed to effecting “meaningful and sustainable progress” towards a more inclusive awards ceremony and industry at large.
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