David Tennant to Host BAFTA Film Awards

David Tennant, renowned for his role as Doctor Who, has been tapped to host the BAFTA Film Awards for the first time. The U.K.'s most prominent film event will take place on February 18th at the Royal Festival Hall in London. The versatile actor, whose work spans across film, TV and stage, including names like "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," "Good Omens," and "Broadchurch", expressed his joy to lead the celebration of this year's best films and associated talents. He also currently stars as Macbeth at the Donmar Warehouse.

BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip expressed her pleasure in saying, “we are delighted to have asked David Tennant to lead our 2024 EE BAFTA Film Awards." She further praised Tennant for his broad appeal to both British and international audience and his charisma. She feels this makes him an ideal host and will attract viewership for the show next month.

Tennant is set to take the baton from predecessors Rebel Wilson and Richard E. Grant, who took on the responsibility of hosting in 2022 and 2023 respectively. The British Academy, which has leaned heavily on the services of Stephen Fry in the past, appears to now be opting for a fresh face each year.

In other news, the revealing of the BAFTA longlists, spanning all 24 categories, is just around the corner, expected on January 5. The final nominees will be announced on January 18 by former Rising Star award nominees Naomi Ackie and Kingsley Ben Adir. The BAFTA Film Awards event will be aired on BBC One and iPlayer in the U.K., and on BritBox International in the U.S., Canada, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and South Africa.