After winning just about everything else, there was an inevitability about Mr. Bates vs The Post Office claiming two accolades as the annual TV BAFTA Awards got underway on Sunday evening.
It was a promising start for ITV, but ultimately the broadcasting giant would be undermined at one of the biggest industry events of the year as the BBC swept the board with 17 wins across a range of channels following another year of triumphant programming.
Auntie’s undeniable dominance at this year’s ceremony meant a host of favourites missed out on awards – notably ITV golden duo Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, the much-fancied Amazon Prime dama Rivals and its leading man, David Tennant.
But the BBC suffered a small blow of its own after hugely popular reality show The Traitors missed out on winning its fourth consecutive award at the annual ceremony.
Elsewhere, Netflix smash Baby Reindeer and the climactic Gavin & Stacey Christmas special also won key awards in front of a full house at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
After claiming multiple awards since it aired in 2024 – among them a National Television Award for leading man Toby Jones, a Sky Arts Award and a Venice TV Award – groundbreaking ITV series Mr. Bates vs The Post Office was widely expected to claim much of Sunday evening’s spotlight.
And it started well, with the show claiming an early award for Limited Drama.
Former sub-postmasters Jo Hamilton and Sir Alan Bates were on hand to collect the TV Bafta for Limited Drama at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday evening
Ruth Jones won the Female Performance in a Comedy Programme Award for Gavin & Stacey (L), while Jessica Gunning accepted the Supporting Actress Award for Baby Reindeer (R)
The night began with Jessica Gunning collecting the award for Best Actress after winning accolades for her portrayal of crazed stalker Martha in Richard Gatt’s hugely successful Netflix drama Baby Reindeer
It was a special night for Jones, who accepted her award after playing the iconic Nessa for the last time in December’s Gavin & Stacey finale
Accepting the gong from Russell Tovey and Daniel Mays, producer Patrick Spencer said: ‘We could only film this because Polly Hill at ITV saved us from getting cancelled and this story only had the impact it did because the people who watched it stood up as one and demanded action with such rage, that the government had no choice but to respond.
‘Our show didn’t change the law, the people of this nation did. They showed in their response to Mr. Bates vs The Post Office that our country cannot abide liars and bullies.’
He added: ‘May it be a warning to those who are supposed to have our backs, that they better not abuse their power.
‘When accepting this award, we would like to go on record that being trusted by the post-masters to tell their story has been the greatest privilege of our lives.’
ITV went on to claim a Special Award, presented by Baroness Floella Benjamin – for its work in commissioning Mr. Bates vs The Post Office.
Urging Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government to rush through arranged compensation payments for affected former postal employees, ITV boss Kevin Lygo said: ‘Hurry up and pay these people what they are due.’
More than 700 subpostmasters were prosecuted by the Government-owned organisation and handed criminal convictions between 1999 and 2015 as Fujitsu’s faulty Horizon system made it appear as though money was missing at their branches.
Former subpostmaster Sir Alan Bates, who was onstage to collect the award on Sunday evening, had his contract terminated by the Post Office in 2003 after refusing to accept liability for shortfalls in the accounts at his branch in Llandudno, North Wales.
Widely expected to claim much of Sunday evening’s spotlight, the groundbreaking ITV series Mr. Bates vs The Post Office got off to an auspicious start by claiming the award for Limited Drama
Jones accepted her award from Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall
An emotional James Corden appeared to wipe away a tear as Jones paid tribute to him during her acceptance speech
Presented by Adolescence stars Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty, Gunning’s award served as a curtain-raiser for the event
The beaming actress posed with her BAFTA in the press room shortly after exiting the stage
A 2024 inquiry heard he first raised issues with the Horizon system in 2000, and on one day in December of that year he called the Post Office helpline seven times, with one call lasting around an hour.
The night began with Jessica Gunning collecting the award for Best Actress after winning accolades for her portrayal of crazed stalker Martha in Richard Gatt’s hugely successful Netflix drama Baby Reindeer.
Presented to Gunning by Adolescence stars Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty, the win served as a curtain-raiser for an event in which major TV networks will hope to outmuscle rival streaming services in the battle for public affection.
But while her award was expected, Danny Dyer served up an early surprise by winning Male Performance in a Comedy for his starring role in Sky Comedy show Mr. Bigstuff.
Evidently delighted, Dyer credited his family – among them Love Island star daughter Dani – in a profanity-laden acceptance speech that broke ITV’s strict watershed.
‘What a touch!’ he told the audience. ‘The acting was so bad it was funny. F***ing hell. Girls, Donny and Dani… I’ve done it girls, I’ve f***ing done it.’
Returning to the stage as Dyer made his exit, ceremony host Alan Cumming told the audience: ‘I’ve been asked to apologise for the naughty language there.’
Danny Dyer served up an early surprise by winning Male Performance in a Comedy for his starring role in Sky Comedy show Mr. Bigstuff
The actor embraced Siobhan McSweeney as he accepted the award on Sunday evening
Evidently delighted, Dyer credited his family – among them Love Island star daughter Dani – in a profanity-laden acceptance speech that broke ITV’s strict watershed
Returning to the stage as Dyer made his exit, ceremony host Alan Cumming told the audience: ‘I’ve been asked to apologise for the naughty language there’
Danny Dyer and Katherine Parkinson speak backstage following his win at the star-studded annual event
Lennie James accepted the Leading Actor Award for Mr Loverman (L), while Marisa Abela won the Leading Actress accolade for her starring role in BBC hit Industry (R)
Abela wiped away tears as she gave her acceptance speech after taking to the podium during Sunday evening’s ceremony
James was congratulated before making his way to the stage to collect his award at London’s Royal Festival Hall
Abela looked ecstatic as her supportive fiancé Jamie Bogyo congratulated the actress following her win on Sunday evening
Collecting her award, the tearful actress said: ‘I’ve been filming Industry for about six years now and (production company) Bad Wolf and HBO, the fact that they let us carry on after season one is mental’
Abela struggled to control her emotions on a huge night for the actress and her BBC show
Abela’s fiancé joined her onstage as she made her way to the winners room with her newly acquired TV BAFTA Award
The actor beat Rivals star David Tennant and Baby Reindeer’s Richard Gadd, amongst others, to the Leading Actor award
Elsewhere it was a special night for Ruth Jones, who accepted the award for female Performance in a Comedy after playing the iconic Nessa for a final time in December’s Gavin & Stacey finale.
Accepting the award from Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall, she said: ‘I really wasn’t expecting this, so I wanted to thank the wonderful cast.
‘Huge thank you to the BBC, such a fantastic institution which I am so proud to have worked with so many times.’
Turning to her writing partner, Jones added: ‘The person I would like to thank most is my dear, kind and talented friend James Corden, with whom I have shared this astonishing journey for 17-years and without whom Vanessa Shanessa Jenson would not have existed.’
Hinting at the potential of a new TV project with Corden, she said: ‘I love you James, I love writing with you. Long may it continue.’
However the show suffered disappointment in the P&O Cruises Memorable Moment category, with blind comedian Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell’s Strictly Come Dancing waltz beating Smithy’s wedding to the accolade.
Scooping one of the biggest awards of the night, British star Marisa Abela won the Leading Actress accolade for her starring role in BBC hit Industry.
Collecting her award, the tearful actress said: ‘I’ve been filming Industry for about six years now and (production company) Bad Wolf and HBO, the fact that they let us carry on after season one is mental.’
She also said she booked the BBC series, about a group of young finance graduates, in her first year of drama school and said the role of Yasmin “changed my life” as she has gone on to play the late singer Amy Winehouse in the film Back To Black.
James (L) and Abela (R) pose backstage in the winners room after collecting their awards in front of their peers
The BBC’s undeniable dominance at this year’s ceremony meant stars such as ITV golden duo Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly missed out on awards
It was a full house as the star-studded BAFTA TV Awards got underway at London’s Royal Festival Hall
James Corden holds co-star and writing partner Ruth Jones’ shoes as she shows off her TV BAFTA Award
Abela triumphed over Monica Dolan for playing former subpostmistress Jo Hamilton, Anna Maxwell Martin for true crime miniseries Until I Kill You, Lola Petticrew for historical Northern Irish drama Say Nothing, Sharon D Clarke for Mr Loverman, and Billie Piper for Netflix drama Scoop, about the Newsnight interview between Emily Maitlis and the Duke of York.
Over in the category for Leading Actor, Rivals star David Tennant – one of the favourites for the award – lost out to Lennie James for his starring role in BBC show Mr Loverman.
It was the second award of the night for Mr Loverman, with James’ co-star Ariyon Bakare winning the Supporting Actor gong earlier that night.
On stage at London’s Royal Festival Hall, James admitted he had not “prepared anything”, explaining he “didn’t think this was coming my way”.
The BBC series, a surprise hit, is based on Evaristo’s novel of the same name about a man who contemplates leaving his wife for his male lover.
James also beat Toby Jones, who was nominated for his role playing Sir Alan Bates, a former subpostmaster and lead campaigner, as well as Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd, Martin Freeman for police crime drama The Responder, and Gary Oldman for spy series Slow Horses.
Ruth Jones poses with Female Performance in a Comedy Programme Award on Sunday night
Danny Dyer holds his TV BAFTA aloft following a surprise win at London’s Royal Festival Hall
The actor raised a glass backstage with TV presenter Laura Whitmore after scooping the prestigious award
(L to R) Owen Cooper, Jessica Gunning, winner of the Supporting Actress Award for Baby Reindeer, and Erin Doherty
Rylan Clark and Robert Rinder, winners of the Factual Entertainment Award for Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour, pose backstage
Marisa Abela and Jamie Bogyo pose during dinner at the 2025 TV BAFTA Awards in London on Sunday evening
A triumphant Dianne Buswell with the P&O Cruises Memorable Moment Award, an accolade she won with former celebrity partner Chris McCausland
(L-R) Justin Marks, Rachel Kondo, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michaela Clavell, Edward L. McDonnell and Jonathan Van Tulleken with the International award for Shogun
(L-R) Emma Parkins, Clive Myrie, Ed Stobart, Denis Minihan, Jane Magowan and members of the cast and crew pose with the Daytime Award for Clive Myrie’s Caribbean Adventure
Alex Bruce, Luke Rollason, Ruth Pickett and members of the cast and crew pose backstage with the Short Form award
(L-R) Gill Isles, Andrew Chaplin and Nerys Evans inside the Winners Room at the TV BAFTA Awards on Sunday evening
Robert Rinder and Rylan Clark pose with cast and crew members backstage after winning a TV BAFTA on Sunday evening
Broadcaster Kirsty Wark with the Fellowship award for her ‘unwavering dedication and unmatched legacy in the world of news and current affairs broadcasting’
Meanwhile, Glastonbury won its first TV BAFTA in an astonishing 33-years for the BBC’s extensive Live Event Coverage of the event at Somerset’s Worthy Farm.
EastEnders also got in on the act, with the long-running BBC flagship claiming the award for Best Soap as it celebrates its milestone 40th anniversary.
The broadcasting giant claimed another gong courtesy of BBC Breakfast, with the morning show winning its first ever TV BAFTA for their Post Office Special.
Echoing the sentiments of producer Patrick Spencer, the show’s resident producer said: ‘This award is for those nine brave postmasters who sat on our sofa.
‘They bravely told their stories and they were just a fraction of those who were let down in that terrible scandal.
‘We will continue to tell your story until you get justice.’
Ariyon Bakare, winner of the Supporting Actor Award for Mr Loverman, and Marisha Wallace
Marisha Wallace and Billy Porter present the Supporting Actor Award to Ariyon Bakare for Mr. Loverman during the 2025 BAFTA TV Awards
(L to R) David Mitchell, Rob Brydon and Lee Mack pose backstage after winning the Entertainment Programme accolade for Would I Lie To You at the TV BAFTA Awards
The three comedians were seen raising a glass with Laura Whitmore after making their way into the winners room
Rylan Clark towered over co-star Robert Rinder as they showed off their TV BAFTA Award in the winners room
Rose Ayling-Ellis presents the Reality Award to Channel 4 show The Jury: Murder Trial during the 2025 BAFTA TV Awards
Great British Bake Off star Dame Mary Berry and The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman present the Entertainment award
Sophie Willan with the cast and crew accepts the Scripted Comedy Award for Alma’s Not Normal
Ben Miller presents the Children’s Scripted Award on stage at the TV BAFTA Awards in London on Sunday evening
Popular BBC show Would I Lie To You claimed the Entertainment Programme accolade – and gave resident panellist David Mitchell an opportunity to poke fun at beleaguered Prince Andrew.
He said: ‘We have been nominated eight times but this is the first time we have won. They actually abolished the category we were nominated for last year and so we thought next year we would be nominated in news, maybe a short-form drama on something that Prince Andrew has done.’
Robert Rinder and Rylan Clark also found themselves among the winners, with BBC show Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour winning the Factual Entertainment award.
Elsewhere Joe Lycett beat Stacey Solomon, Romesh Ranganathan, Claudia Winkleman, Graham Norton, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly to the Entertainment Performance award for Channel 4 show Late Night Lycett.
The Fellowship, the highest accolade bestowed by BAFTA upon an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, games or television, was presented by the host Alan Cumming to broadcaster for her unwavering dedication and unmatched legacy in the world of news and current affairs broadcasting.
The Official Partners for this year’s ceremony with P&O Cruises were P&O Cruises, Samsung, Champagne Taittinger, Casillero Del Diablo, Deloitte, Global, Hildon, Lancôme, Schwarzkopf Professional, Sea Containers London, and TikTok.
2025 TV BAFTA AWARDS – ALL THE WINNERS
Drama Series
Blue Lights (BBC One) – WINNER
Sherwood (BBC One)
Supacell (Netflix)
Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light (BBC One)
Limited Drama
Baby Reindeer (Netflix)
Lost Boys and Fairies (BBC One)
Mr Bates vs the Post Office (ITV1) – WINNER
One Day (Netflix)
International
After The Party (Channel 4)
Colin From Accounts (BBC Two)
Say Nothing (Disney+)
Shogun (Disney+) – WINNER
True Detective: Night Country (Sky Atlantic)
You Are Not Alone: Fighting The Wolfpack, Netflix
Leading Actress
Anna Maxwell Martin, Until I Kill You (ITV1)
Billie Piper, Scoop (Netflix)
Lola Petticrew, Say Nothing (Disney+)
Marisa Abela, Industry (BBC One) – WINNER
Monica Dolan, Mr Bates Vs The Post Office (ITV1)
Sharon D Clarke, Mr Loverman (BBC One)
Leading Actor
David Tennant, Rivals (Disney+)
Gary Oldman, Slow Horses (Apple TV+)
Lennie James, Mr Loverman (BBC One) – WINNER
Martin Freeman, The Responder (BBC One)
Richard Gadd, Baby Reindeer (Netflix)
Toby Jones, Mr Bates Vs The Post Office (ITV1)
Female Performance in a Comedy
Anjana Vasan, We Are Lady Parts (Channel 4)
Kate O’Flynn, Everyone Else Burns Channel 4)
Lolly Adefope, The Franchise (Sky Comedy)
Nicola Coughlan, Big Mood (Channel 4)
Ruth Jones, Gavin & Stacey (BBC One) – WINNER
Sophie Willan, Alma’s Not Normal (BBC Two)
Scripted Comedy
Alma’s Not Normal (BBC Two) – WINNER
Brassic (Sky Max)
G’Wed (ITV1)
Ludwig (BBC One)
Specialist Factual
Atomic People (BBC Two) – WINNER
Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story (National Geographic)
Children of the Cult (ITV1)
Miners’ Strike 1984: The Battle For Britain (Channel 4)
Reality
Dragons’ Den (BBC One)
The Jury: Murder Trial (Channel 4) – WINNER
Love Is Blind (Channel 4)
The Traitors (BBC One)
Current Affairs
Storyville: Life and Death in Gaza (BBC)
Maternity: Broken Trust (ITV1)
State of Rage (Channel 4) – WINNER
Ukraine’s War: The Other Side (ITV1)
Shortform
Brown Brit (Channel 4)
Peaked (Channel 4)
Quiet Life (BBC Three) – WINNER
Spud (BBC Three)
Factual Entertainment
In Vogue: The 90s (Vogue Studios, Disney+)
Race Across The World (BBC One)
Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour (BBC Two) – WINNER
Sort Your Life Out (BBC One)
Children’s Scripted
CBeebies As You Like It at Shakespeare’s Globe (CBeebies) – WINNER
Horrible Histories (CBBC)
Ready Eddie Go! (Sky Kids)Tweedy & Fluff (Channel 5)
P&O Cruises Memorable Moment
Bridgerton: The carriage scene, where Colin admits his true feelings for Penelope (Netflix)
Gavin & Stacey: The Finale: Smithy’s wedding, when Mick stands up (BBC One)
Mr Bates Vs The Post Office: Jo Hamilton phones the Horizon helpline (ITV1)
Rivals: Rupert Campbell-Black and Sarah Stratton are caught in a game of naked tennis (Disney+)
Strictly Come Dancing: Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone (BBC One) – WINNER
Traitors: “Paul isn’t my son … but Ross is!” (BBC One)
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell’s Strictly waltz scooped the award for P&O Cruises Memorable Moment
Male Performance in a Comedy
Bilal Hasna, Extraordinary (Disney+)
Danny Dyer, Mr Big Stuff (Sky Comedy) – WINNER
Dylan Thomas-Smith, G’wed (ITV2)
Nabhaan Rizwan, Kaos (Netflix)
Oliver Savell, Changing Ends (ITV1)
Phil Dunning, Smoggie Queens (BBC Three)
Danny Dyer won Male Performance in a Comedy Programme for Mr Big Stuff
Supporting Actor
Ariyon Bakare, Mr Loverman (BBC One) – WINNER
Christopher Chung, Slow Horses (Apple TV+)
Damian Lewis, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light (BBC One)
Jonathan Pryce, Slow Horses (Apple TV+)
McKinley Belcher III, Eric (Netflix)
Sonny Walker, The Gathering (Channel 4)
Supporting Actress
Jessica Gunning, Baby Reindeer (Netflix) – WINNER
Katherine Parkinson, Rivals (Disney+)
Maxine Peake, Say Nothing (Disney+)
Monica Dolan, Sherwood (BBC One)
Nava Mau, Baby Reindeer (Netflix)
Sue Johnston, Truelove (Channel)
The 1% Club lost out for Best Entertainment Show
Entertainment
The 1% Club (ITV1)
Michael McIntyre’s Big Show (BBC One)
Taskmaster (Channel 4)
Would I Lie To You? (BBC One) – WINNER
Entertainment Performance
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway (ITV1)
Claudia Winkleman, The Traitors (BBC One)
Graham Norton, The Graham Norton Show (BBC One)
Joe Lycett, Late Night Lycett (Channel 4) – WINNER
Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett, Rob & Romesh Vs (Sky Max)
Stacey Solomon, Sort Your Life Out (BBC One)
Factual Series
American Nightmare (Netflix)
Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams on Tour (BBC One)
The Push: Murder on the Cliff (Channel 4)
To Catch a Copper (Channel 4) – WINNER
Live Event Coverage
D-Day 80: Tribute To The Fallen (BBC One)
Glastonbury 2024 (BBC Two) – WINNER
Last Night of The Proms (BBC Two)
News Coverage
BBC Breakfast: Post Office Special (BBC One) – WINNER
Channel 4 News: Inside Sednaya (Channel 4)
Channel 4 News: Undercover Inside Reform’s Campaign (Channel 4)
Single Documentary
Hell Jumper (BBC Two)
Tell Them You Love Me (Sky Documentaries)
Ukraine: Enemy In The Woods (BBC Two) – WINNER
Undercover: Exposing The Far Right (Channel 4)
Soap
Casualty (BBC One)
Coronation Street (ITV1)
EastEnders (BBC One) – WINNER
Sport
Euro 2024 (BBC Sport)
Paris 2024 Olympics (BBC Sport) – WINNER
Wimbledon (BBC Sport)
Daytime
Clive Myrie’s Caribbean Adventure (BBC Two) – WINNER
Loose Women (ITV1)
Morning Live (BBC One)
Richard Osman’s House of Games (BBC Two)
Children’s Non Scripted
BoosNoo! (Sky Kids)
FYI Investigates: Disability and Me (Sky Kids) – WINNER
Operation Ouch! (CBBC)
Reu and Harper’s Wonder World (Channel 5)
BAFTA Fellowship
Kirsty Wark – WINNER