Daniel Craig, best known for his iconic stint as James Bond, is at the center of an online firestorm after being snubbed by the BAFTAs for his performance in Queer. Despite earning Golden Globe and SAG nominations for his role in Luca Guadagnino’s drama, Craig was left out of the BAFTA Best Actor category, sparking fury among fans.
The nominees—Adrien Brody, Timothée Chalamet, Colman Domingo, Ralph Fiennes, Hugh Grant, and Sebastian Stan—left many questioning how Craig didn’t make the cut. Social media erupted with reactions, with one fan on X (formerly Twitter) exclaiming: “THE BAFTAS!! THE BAFTAS OF ALL PEOPLE SNUB DANIEL CRAIG BUT HE GETS IN FOR SAG??? AM I EVEN LIVING ANYMORE???” Another quipped: “Think Daniel probably killed somebody’s grandma the way he constantly gets snubbed by BAFTAs.”
Craig’s history with the BAFTAs hasn’t exactly been prolific—his sole nomination came in 2006 for Casino Royale, where he lost to Forest Whitaker in The Last King of Scotland. Fans argue that his performance in Queer—as a gay man navigating life in 1950s Mexico City—showcases some of his finest acting to date. Critics, including NME, have praised the film, calling it “far from James Bond” and one of Craig’s best roles.
Some fans speculate that the snub may be tied to the film’s LGBTQ+ themes, pointing to a similar omission of Andrew Scott for All Of Us Strangers in the previous BAFTA season. However, others highlight nominations for Karla Sofia Gascon (Emilia Pérez), Cynthia Erivo, and Colman Domingo as counterpoints to that argument.
Craig himself recently admitted he wouldn’t have pursued Queer while still playing Bond, as it might have seemed “reactionary.” He also opened up about his struggles with fame during his time as 007, adding another layer of intrigue to his evolving career.
The BAFTA Film Awards, hosted by David Tennant, will take place on February 16, with Conclave and Emilia Pérez leading the nominations race. Fans may still be reeling from Craig’s snub, but one thing’s for sure—this awards season is proving anything but predictable.
