Most Memorable Moments & Looks From the 2026 BAFTAs in 45+ Photos

The biggest night in British cinema delivered glamour, gasps, and a few moments no one saw coming.

The 79th BAFTAs took place on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at London's Royal Festival Hall, celebrating the year's most outstanding films. While the trophies were important, it was the unscripted exchanges and daring fashion that truly stole the spotlight.

You can't always control what happens on live television, and this year's ceremony proved it, with insults caught on air, a joke that didn't quite land, a bold new hairstyle that ignited praise online, and one unforgettable gown earning comparisons to a cabbage.

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS

The Controversial Situation with Michael B. Jordan

The ceremony had barely begun when the first unexpected moment hit.

Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo stepped onto the stage to present the first award of the night for Special Visual Effects. The applause rolled in, but during a brief lull in the clapping, something else could be heard on the broadcast.

It was later alleged that Tourette's activist John Davidson shouted a racist slur and an insult toward the actors in a moment that quickly spread across social media. Both actors lost their smiles quickly and didn't seem to know what to do for a few seconds.

Finally, Lindo spoke up, continuing his lines, and the room appeared to move on. But viewers at home certainly did not. Luckily, there were other, much more light-hearted moments.

Kylie Jenner Offered a British Snack

Host Alan Cumming decided to roam the audience during one lively segment, handing out classic British snacks to some of the biggest stars in the room. He stopped by Emma Stone and rapper Stormzy before making his way to Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner.

The actor received Scampi Fries, while Jenner was handed another one, but it was Cumming's joke that had people raising their eyebrows.

"Kylie, have you ever had your gums around a giant Jammie Dodger?" he asked, igniting the laughs of the audience.

Kylie looked flummoxed for a second before she shook her head subtly, accepted the biscuit, and smiled.

A giant Jammie Dodger is an iconic British biscuit made of two shortcake layers with a raspberry or strawberry-flavored jam center and a heart-shaped cutout.

Unfortunately, some people online seemed to have misinterpreted Cumming's cheeky wording.

One netizen wrote, "That kylie joke was a bit disrespectful... and right in front of her man too??" Another added, "I feel like a giant jammy dodger is kinda inappropriate sounding???"

And someone else wrote, "The Kylie comment 💀."

Whether playful or awkward, it became one of those moments people replayed again and again. And speaking of family moments that had people staring, one Hollywood heartthrob arrived with a very special date.

Patrick Dempsey and a Classy Lady Beside Him

Patrick Dempsey brought timeless charm to the red carpet, but it was who walked beside him that truly warmed hearts.

The 60-year-old actor attended the ceremony arm-in-arm with his daughter, Talula Fyfe Dempsey, 24, who was there to support him just days after the death of his "Grey's Anatomy" co-star Eric Dane.

Dressed in a sleek black tuxedo over a crisp white shirt with a velvet bow tie, Dempsey looked every bit the classic leading man, with his silver hair swept back and dark shades shielding his eyes.

Meanwhile, his daughter embraced understated elegance in a black, floor-length gown that perfectly complemented her father's look.

But if subtle elegance was one vibe of the night, dramatic fashion was another entirely.

MOST MEMORABLE LOOKS

Teyana Taylor Brings the Drama

If the awards were about excellence in film, the red carpet was about taking risks.

Some stars played it safe. Others went full theatrical. And one particular plum-colored outfit had people debating in comment sections.

Teyana Taylor does not do subtle, and this time was no exception.

She stepped out in a plum silk duchess trench gown with a dramatic turned-up collar framing her face and deep pockets built into the design. Her hair was styled short in soft curls hugging her head, while diamond earrings peeked over the high collar.

The silhouette was bold and unapologetic. And the internet had thoughts. One comment read, "Pretty...purple cabbage inspired though...😂"

Another said, "Looks uncomfortable 😫 she is even like it's in my face." But not everyone was critical. One fan gushed, "I love love love love this this outfit.. I would definitely wear that. She is a fashionista.🤎❤️🤎 [sic]."

Someone else chimed in, "Look like purple cabbage but I'm here for the dramatic flare/ take lol [sic]."

And in a separate thread, a supporter declared, "She is beyond the best dressed..."

Yet even with all that volume and flair, another fashion icon quietly reminded everyone what true longevity looks like.

Vera Wang Looking Timeless

At 76, Vera Wang once again proved that reinvention has no age limit.

The legendary designer stepped out at the Royal Festival Hall with a striking platinum blonde hairstyle, dark roots visible for contrast. Her gown, designed by her own label, featured a white floor-length ruched dress accented with long black puffed sleeves, paired with sleek black cat-eye sunglasses.

The look was crisp, modern, and unmistakably hers, which is why online reactions were filled with admiration. One person wrote, "Oh, that dress is phenomenal on her!"

Another commented, "76 and still redefining what timeless looks like. The platinum blonde actually makes her look even more futuristic."

And a third added, "Why not? She's 76 — she's living her life!"

If anyone thought aging meant fading into the background, Wang clearly disagreed.

And of course, they were far from the only stars turning heads. Check out some of the other amazing looks of the night!

Emma Stone

Kate Hudson

Michael B. Jordan

Ethan Hawke

Kerry Washington

Princess Catherine and Prince William

Wunmi Mosaku

Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst

Alan Cumming

Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner

Gillian Anderson

By the end of the night, the trophies were handed out, but the real afterparty was happening online. From shocking onstage interruptions to biscuits that sparked debate and gowns that divided the crowd, the 2026 BAFTAs proved once again that sometimes the most unforgettable moments are the ones you have to see to believe.