Alan Cumming Hosts Star-Studded Night with KPop Demon Hunters Performance

The 79th British Academy Film Awards, honoring the best in cinema from 2025, take center stage Sunday, Feb. 22, at London’s Royal Festival Hall in the Southbank Centre, with Scottish actor and “The Traitors” host Alan Cumming making his debut as master of ceremonies for the prestigious ceremony.

Cumming succeeds David Tennant, who helmed the event in 2024 and 2025. The multi-talented performer, known for roles in “Eyes Wide Shut,” “Spy Kids” and recent reality TV hosting, brings his signature wit and charisma to guide the evening, which celebrates British and international filmmaking amid a competitive awards season leading to the Oscars.

The red carpet arrivals and ceremony kick off with major nominees and attendees including Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Rose Byrne, Jessie Buckley, Cillian Murphy, Michael B. Jordan, Emma Stone, Paul Mescal and many others confirmed to attend. The guest list features a mix of nominees and industry figures such as Ethan Hawke, Carey Mulligan, Yorgos Lanthimos, Stellan Skarsgård, Teyana Taylor and directors like Chloé Zhao, Ryan Coogler and Lynne Ramsay.

Seating arrangements at the Royal Festival Hall remain closely guarded until the event, with no official chart released in advance. Traditional BAFTA protocol places nominees and key presenters at prominent front tables, often grouping talent from the same films or shared projects. Past ceremonies have featured strategic placements for dramatic effect, such as rival leads or collaborators side-by-side, though specifics for 2026 — including potential proximity for DiCaprio, Chalamet, Byrne or Buckley — will emerge via live broadcasts, social media and post-event photos.

A highlight of the night includes musical performances: KPop Demon Hunters delivers the first non-U.S. live rendition of their record-breaking track “Golden,” performed by Jae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami (voices of HUNTR/X). Additionally, Jessie Ware provides a poignant cover of a Barbra Streisand classic during the In Memoriam segment, honoring industry figures lost in the past year.

Presenters form an impressive lineup spanning film and television: Aaron Pierre, Aimee Lou Wood, Alicia Vikander, Alia Bhatt, Bryan Cranston, Cillian Murphy, David Jonsson, Delroy Lindo, Emily Watson, Erin Doherty, Ethan Hawke, Gillian Anderson, Glenn Close, Hannah Waddingham, Kate Hudson, Kathryn Hahn, Kerry Washington, Little Simz, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mia McKenna-Bruce, Michael B. Jordan, Miles Caton, Milly Alcock, Minnie Driver, Monica Bellucci, Noah Jupe, Olivia Cooke, Patrick Dempsey, Regé-Jean Page, Riz Ahmed, Sadie Sink, Stellan Skarsgård, Stormzy and Warwick Davis. Many are nominees themselves, adding personal stakes to their stage appearances.

The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. GMT (2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT) on BBC One in the U.K., with a live broadcast and on-demand streaming via BBC iPlayer for U.K. viewers. The show typically runs about two hours, edited from the full in-person event that starts earlier with arrivals and preliminaries.

In the United States, E! airs the ceremony at 8 p.m. ET/PT, marking the first time the BAFTAs broadcast on a major cable network there (previously streamed on BritBox). International audiences can check local broadcasters or streaming services, with BritBox available in select markets for live or on-demand access.

Nominations, announced in January, saw “One Battle After Another” lead with 14 nods, reflecting strong contention across categories like Best Film, Director and acting awards. The BAFTAs often influence Oscar momentum, with voter overlap among academy members.

As Hollywood’s elite descend on London for the Feb. 22 gala, the night promises glamour, surprises and tributes to cinematic achievement in a year of standout films.