David Tennant's BAFTA Shift

David Tennant is set to return as host of the Bafta Film Awards this weekend, but this time with a more careful approach after last year’s ceremony left Cate Blanchett looking less than amused.

The Scottish actor, known for his wit and charm, insists his style has never been about targeting people. However, he acknowledged that a joke he made about Blanchett during the 2024 ceremony might have missed the mark.

“The Baftas are supposed to be kind. Last year we weren’t trying to roast people, but there was a joke about Cate Blanchett, and she looked a little bit annoyed, a little bit pissed off,” Tennant told Radio Times.

The moment in question came during his opening monologue when he joked about how nominees might have to climb over fellow attendees to reach the stage. “So if you’ve got to scramble and climb over Cate Blanchett to get your hands on an award, that is what you do. It’s a metaphor for the acting industry generally,” he quipped. While Blanchett initially appeared to laugh, later in the evening, she presented an award without acknowledging Tennant, prompting speculation about whether she had taken offense.

While the joke was relatively harmless, Tennant has not shied away from stronger remarks in the past. At the British LGBT Awards last June, he made headlines by criticizing then-Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch’s stance on trans rights, telling her to “shut up.” His comment sparked backlash from Badenoch and then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who accused him of trying to silence women.

Despite this, Tennant is focused on keeping things lighthearted at the Baftas. Learning from last year’s experience, he aims to bring humor without making anyone uncomfortable, ensuring the event remains a celebration of the best in film.