In a day where Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education promised in her keynote speech that children with special educational needs and those from impoverished backgrounds were going to get extra governmental support, I couldn’t help but sigh, swear and roll my eyes. Ill believe it when I see it. She spoke of her own struggles growing up, citing barriers of exclusion and poverty. I googled her. She attended Oxford.
Having endured the BAFTAs ceremony last night, it only reminded me of the dominance of performers from bourgeoisie families. Both actors who took away the best lead acting gongs, Jessie Buckley for Hamnet and Robert Aramayo for I Swear, attended posh schools and come from extreme privilege. Yet again, it’s a little reminder that it’s all about power and prestige when it comes to attaining world class recognition. Meritocracy is firmly a thing of the past in 2026.
While it was nice to see both get recognition (Buckley is excellent, and I Swear looks interesting, as its focus is on John Davidson, a working class lad and tourettes activist) particularly since the likes of Emma Stone and Leonardo Di Caprio were present, it was yet another reminder that the film industry remains a locked door for working- class kids determined to transcend their limited circumstances. Gone are the days of Michael Caine or Twiggy. Public school and RADA remain the training ground for talented young thespians.
The only moment that really engaged me all night was host Alan Cumming handing out cheap British playground snacks like Hula Hoops and Scampi Fries to Emma Stone and Timothee Chalamet. Watching their puzzled faces try to settle into a rictus grin was extremely satisfying. Kylie Jenner looked nonplussed when offered a Jammy Dodger, but that’s standard for her. She has two facial expressions: smug and pouting. Bet none of them have never eaten carbs in their pampered lives. But we, the plebs, have.
Hit The North 