The British Academy Film Awards are some of the most important awards in the UK, and Doctor Who has had its fair share of nominations and wins over the years. The series itself won Best Drama Series in 2006, and there have been plenty of winners in the cast and crew since.
The BAFTAs were originally held in 1949, making them one of the few British television institutions to predate the sci-fi series. According to their website, their goal is to "champion talent, recognize exceptional storytelling, and make the creative industries a fairer and more sustainable place." The awards are a major part of that, as they give critical recognition to the effort that goes into storytelling and the value it has for society.
The series has earned 75 nominations from the BAFTA Cymru Awards (for productions filmed in Wales), winning 33. More prominent attention comes from the BAFTA TV Awards, although they are considerably harder to win. Since 2006, Doctor Who has been nominated 30 times, with only eight wins. The show has yet to win an award at the BAFTA Scotland Awards, although it has been nominated five times.
The most recent version of the BAFTA Cymru Awards took place on October 20, 2024, and there were a few big names from the franchise on the nomination list. Ncuti Gatwa, the Fifteenth Doctor, had a big win, becoming one of the only actors to earn a BAFTA for their work on the show.
Ncuti Gatwa wins Best Actor for 2024
Ncuti Gatwa has had a similar role to Christopher Eccleston, taking on the lead for a new era of the show. When Russell T. Davies returned to Doctor Who, he decided to split the show again, making 2023 the start of a new era. Gatwa has led that era with passion and vulnerability, presenting a version of the Doctor who has learned and healed from the traumas of his past.
In a triumphant moment for both Ncuti Gatwa and the newest season of Doctor Who, Gatwa won the award for Best Actor at the 2024 Cymru Awards. Gatwa was one of four men nominated for the Best Actor award, competing against Philip Glenister (Steeltown Murders), Phodri Meilir (Pren ar y Bryn), and Sion Daniel Young (Douglas Slow Horses).
That's not the only award that Doctor Who was up for, although it is the only one that won. Tim Hodges was nominated for editing; Claire Williams for makeup and hair; the Sound Team for sound design; and Russell T. Davies for writing. However, another Doctor Who alum did win the Outstanding Contribution Award: Julie Gardner. Gardner was an executive producer for Doctor Who, Torchwood, and The Sarah Jane Adventures, ultimately co-founding the Bad Wolf production company.
Doctor Who's history at the BAFTAs
Although Ncuti Gatwa was the only member of the Doctor Who team to win a BAFTA this year, the show has a long history with the Awards. In most instances, Doctor Who has won for its behind-the-scenes talent, with a special emphasis on visual and special effects. There have also been several awards won for writing and directing.
Acting, however, has historically not been a good category for the show or its spin-offs. In 2007, David Tennant won Best Actor at the Cymru BAFTAs for his work on the episode "Doomsday." He is the only other actor to win a BAFTA for their time on the show, despite every previous modern-era Doctor being nominated at least once.
Other members of the cast who have been nominated include Michelle Gomez, Jenna Coleman, and Billie Piper. However, they have also not been able to secure a win. The only actor in the franchise to win outside of Tennant and Gatwa is Eve Myles, who won Best Actress at the Cymru BAFTAs in 2007 for her work on Torchwood.
This win is an encouraging sign for Doctor Who's future, as it shows that the series is once again gaining critical attention. The newest era has been full of uncertainty, with fans wondering if the show can be brought back to its former glory. While there are complaints about the writing that need to be heard, fans can rest assured that Ncuti Gatwa is a stellar actor, whose star is on the rise.