BAFTA TV Awards 2021: Michaela Coel, Diversity and Normal People's Paul Mescal lead the winners

Michaela Coel was the big winner at the BAFTA TV Awards 2021 on Sunday, scooping two gongs for her hit show I May Destroy you.

The actress, 33, was overjoyed to take home the Leading Actress prize as well as the Best Mini-Series award and the Best Writer (Drama) at the event which was hosted in London.

Dance group Diversity also had cause for celebration, winning Must See TV Moment for their controversial Britain’s Got Talent performance of a Black Lives Matter-inspired dance, while Normal People’s Paul Mescal, 25, was crowned Leading Actor and dedicated his win to co-star Daisy Edgar Jones.

Following the star-studded ceremony, viewers applauded the awards for being ‘very inclusive’ and praised the show for recognising a ‘brilliant list of diverse talent’.

Collecting her Leading Actress gong, Michaela said: ‘Thank you BAFTA and thank you to the jury for selecting me as your winner today. 

‘A huge shoutout to Billie [Piper], Daisy [Edgar-Jones], Hayley [Squires] , Jodie [Comer] and Letitia [Wright] because you guys are literally sick.

‘Also, I shouldn’t really say it but I wrote my words and I know that your talent to take words that a writer has written and make it sound like your own is unbelievable and I really hope I get to work with each of you one day.

‘I did write a speech, I want to dedicate this award to the director of intimacy, Rita O’Brien. 

‘Thank you for your existence in our industry, for making the space safe, for creating physical, emotional and professional boundaries so that we can make work about exploitation, loss of respect, about abuse of power without being exploited and abused in the process. 

‘I know what it’s like to shoot without an intimacy director – the messy embarrassing feeling for the crew, the eternal devastation for the actor. 

‘Your direction was essential to my show and essential for every production company that wants to make work exploring themes of content. Thank you BAFTA.’ 

I May Destroy You was one of last summer’s most critically-acclaimed shows around the world when it aired on BBC One and HBO. 

It follows Arabella as she comes to terms with a sexual assault after her drink was spiked at a nightclub, in a storyline based on the harrowing real-life experience of Michaela. 

Michaela has previously won two BAFTAS in 2016 for her hit E4 comedy Chewing Gum in the Breakthrough Talent and Best Female Comedy performance categories. 

In February, fans of I May Destroy You were outraged when the hit show, and creator Coel, were snubbed by the 78th Golden Globe Awards. The actress, who starred, wrote, directed, and produced the critically-acclaimed series, failed to get a nod in any category.  

While Diversity’s Black Lives Matter performance on Britain’s Got Talent was named Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment in the the only award voted for by the public on Sunday night. 

The category also saw nods to Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) being revealed as Lady Whistledown in Bridgerton and when Luke Skywalker appeared in the climax of The Mandalorian’s second season. 

Britain’s Got Talent star Ashley Banjo reflected on the ‘torrent of abuse’ he received after performing the dance, and even thanked some users for the hateful comments, stating it proved that ‘so much needs to change.’ 

Ashley joined his brother Jordan on the stage to accept the award for Must See TV Moment, the only prize voted for by the viewing public.

The pair reflected on the horrific abuse they’d received after their dance following the death of George Floyd sparked 24,000 complaints to media watchdog Ofcom.

Ashley said: ‘This is mad! This is so much more than just an award, I first want to say ty to every single person who voted for us, it means so much, every phone call, text, comment, DM you guys made a difference to what was a really dark time.

‘Being in a storm of 30,000 comments just being in a torrent of threats, that support made a different. I want to say thank you to the people who poured that abuse online, you showed why that performance was necessary. 

‘As much as there’s so many conversations and so much needs to change, this is what change looks like, I’m so thankful to all those people, for me it’s not about presenting the minority, standing here right now this represents the majority, thank you so much. Let’s keep standing up for what’s right.’ 

Diversity’s performance became the second-most complained about television moment of the decade, but a spokesperson for the government-approved regulatory body confirmed to MailOnline no action would be taken. 

Troupe leader Ashley later revealed he and the dance group had been subject to racist abuse in the wake of the controversy, and then reacted to Ofcom’s announcement on Instagram.

He penned: ‘Creativity is always a leap of faith. All I did what was what felt right and I’d do it 100 times over… Sending love to everyone that stood by us’

The routine, which narrated the death of black man George Floyd beneath the knee of a white police officer, divided fans after it aired during BGT live show in October. 

Viewers took to Twitter in the aftermath of the episode airing on September 5, complaining about the politicisation of the ITV1 prime-time show. 

Elsewhere, Paul Mescal picked up the Leading Actor gong for his role in Normal People and used his speech to pay tribute to his co-star, Daisy Edgar-Jones.

He said: ‘I fully was not expecting to be here so I have no clue what I’m going to say. I want to thank everyone at the BBC, I want to thank everyone at Element … I want to thank the cast.

‘I want to dedicate this to Daisy, who is the best scene partner and one of the best people I know. I’m probably forgetting people and I’m incredibly nervous. My mum and dad at home, I love you.’

Sadly it wasn’t a clean sweep for Normal People, as Daisy May Cooper missed out on the prestigious honour in favour of Michaela, winning for her critically lauded drama I May Destroy You. 

Viewers were also impressed with Sunday’s event and praised the BAFTA Awards for the ‘diversity’ of the show, with some calling this year’s ceremony ‘amazing’ to watch. 

One person tweeted: ‘Was great to see so many diverse nominations and also winners- felt very inclusive!’

While another added: ‘I’m really enjoying this year’s BAFTAs such a diverse range of winners rather than the same old same old. It’s been amazing’.

‘BAFTA brilliant list of diverse talent and winners. Well done. Love it,’ shared a third fan of the ceremony.

While someone else suggested that next year they could go even further, tweeting: ‘It is really good to see diversity at the BAFTAs tonight. Maybe next year they could have a presenter who has a disability?’  

It was also a good night for Casualty, who won Best Soap and Continuing Drama whilst Romesh Ranganathan took home the Entertainment Performance prize. 

Malachi Kirby, another first-time winner, won for his performance in Small Axe in the Supporting Actor category. Small Axe had led this year’s nominations with 15 nods.

And Small Axe – which features five films that tell stories about lives of West Indian immigrants in London from the 1960s to the 1980s – also picked up two Leading Actor nominations with John Boyega and Shaun Parkes both receiving nods.

Rakie Ayola also won her first BAFTA for Supporting Actress for her performance in Anthony.

Another first-time nominee, Aimee Lou Wood scooped a gong in Female Performance in a Comedy Programme for playing Aimee Gibbs in Sex Education.  

Male Performance in a Comedy Programme was awarded to Charlie Cooper for his performance in This Country. 

Comedian Romesh Ranganathan received the BAFTA for Entertainment Performance for The Ranganation.

Save Me Too received the BAFTA for Drama Series and Sitting in Limbo won for Single Drama.

The Big Narstie Show won Comedy Entertainment Programme, its first win following its previous nomination in 2019. And the BAFTA for Entertainment Programme was awarded to Life & Rhymes while Scripted Comedy was awarded to Inside No 9.     

The School That Tried to End Racism received the BAFTA for Reality & Constructed Factual. Long Lost Family: Born Without Trace won in the Features category. They Saw the Sun First won the BAFTA for Short Form Programme.

Casualty was awarded the BAFTA for Soap & Continuing Drama, its first since 2018. The Great House Giveaway won the BAFTA in the new Daytime category. 

News Coverage was awarded to Sky News’ Inside Idlib, and the award for Current Affairs was presented to America’s War on Abortion (Exposure). International was awarded to Welcome to Chechnya: The Gay Purge (Storyville).

Once Upon a Time in Iraq received the BAFTA for Factual Series, Locked In: Breaking the Silence (Storyville) won Single Documentary and The Surgeon’s Cut won Specialist Factual. 

England V West Indies Test Cricket triumphed in the Sport category, while the award for Live Event was presented to Springwatch 2020.  

Despite attempting to keep all its attendees safe during the Covid pandemic, the ceremony wasn’t without technical issues as the cast of Casualty accepted the award for Soap And Continuing Drama.

The stars appeared from the show’s set via. Zoom, but it seemed the router may need some adjustments as their speech was plagued by a poor connection.

Nothing the technical difficulties, a fixture of many awards in 2021 due to the reliance on Zoom and satellite technology, host Richard Ayoade ended their speech with the words: ‘Get a new router.’

Many stars also appeared to forget that the ceremony was being broadcast before the watershed, with Inside No. 9 star Steve Pemberton dropping a surprise expletive after accepting the award for Scripted Comedy.

He said: ‘This is like the c*****t episode of Gogglebox ever! We’re so thrilled and delighted to have won this award. We are so so grateful, it’s such a privilege to be able to go into people’s homes and make them laugh and cry or whatever.’

Later in the show, This Country’s Daisy May Cooper presented Must See TV Moment, and joked that she was the prime example that anyone could have success in TV even when they ‘couldn’t be a***d at school.’

And it seemed that even Richard himself wasn’t impressed with Normal People’s Paul Mescal’s victory, as following the win he branded the actor a ‘b*****d.’

Quick to poke fun at the show’s Covid-friendly format, also Richard joked that there was ‘no atmosphere’ in the studio, as he delivered a brief opening monologue for a limited audience.  

After It’s A Sin star Olly Alexander kicked off the show, the first award for Entertainment Performance was given to Romesh Ranganathan for his series The Ranganation, with Line Of Duty legend Adrian Dunbar taking to the stage to present the prize.

Taking to the stage in person for the ceremony, he said: ‘I really didn’t expect to win it (I mean there’s a really good chance) it was much easier doing this series as I just did it from my garage I put in less effort to be honest.’   

One of the award show’s more moving moments came from Rakie Ayola for her performance in the drama Anthony, which was based on the racially-charged murder of teen Anthony Walker.

In a touching speech she said: ‘If you think you know someone who feels all they have is to take the life of another, do what you can because the one reason we wanted Gillian’s story to be told is that she thought people might watch it and think about it for someone to get away.’ 

Stacey Dooley and Vick Hope gave out Entertainment Programme to Life and Rhymes, a lockdown series that celebrated the beauty of the spoken word, while Long Lost Family: Without A Trace scooped Features.

Joining the show’s producers via. Zoom, host Davina McCall accepted, gushing: ‘We really just want to say thank you so much for our families, because it’s not stories we’re not just telling stories it is their lives and they give us these tales to tell and we know it is immensely personal to them and sometimes very painful and I just want to thank them from the bottom of our hearts. We’re so grateful for them for letting us share their story.’

After landing 15 nominations, it was no surprise to see Small Axe triumph at the ceremony, with Malachi Kirby landing the award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the first film of the anthology series, titled Mangrove.

Clearly in shock to receive the prize, Malachi said: ‘Wow I genuinely didn’t expect that, thank you so much. I don’t have time to thank every single person who I want to thank, but I want to dedicate this to my mum I wish I could write your name on this, I wouldn’t be doing this without you, thank you.’ 

Following its third and final series last year, the night was also a triumph for This Country, with star Charlie Cooper scooping the prize for Male Performance in a Comedy Programme.

Sadly the actor was not present to accept the prize, with uncle Paul picking up the award on his behalf, saying: ‘Very honoured to be able o see this on behalf of Charlie, I know he’d like me to thank the viewers at home, the BBC… the cast and the crew, his big sister Daisy, thank you so much and we’re so so proud of you Charlie, well done son.’

While The Surgeon’s Cut was awarded Specialist Factual, Sex Educations Aimee Lou Wood won a whole new army of fans when she took to the stage to accept Female Performance In A Comedy Programme.

Heading to the podium to accept the prize she gushed: ‘Sorry I’ve had this mask on! Oh my god thank you so much, we said on our panel thing we’d break into pieces and share it, but it’s solid, and I’m gong to give a metaphorical piece to everyone.’

Ahead of this year’s ceremony, Billie Piper, Jodie Comer, Michaela Coel, and Oti Mabuse were among the select celebrities to make it onto the red carpet in person.

Pop star-turned-actress Billie, 38, wowed she arrived on the red carpet in a black tuxedo dress, which was given a dramatic touch with a single puffy pink sleeve, which descended into a matching bow and train.

With one half of her dress covered in sequins, the star – who has been nominated for her turn in I Hate Suzie – toted a clutch bag, while she opted to accessorise with a glittering statement necklace.

Meanwhile, fellow nominee Jodie, 38, kept things simple yet elegant in a navy sleeveless top with matching high-waisted trousers, which she gave a summery touch with open-toe heels.

While her ensemble was simple, the Killing Eve star added bold jewellery, including an open choker and colourful earrings as she posed up a storm for photographers gathered on the red carpet.

Also nominated on the night, acclaimed actress and screenwriter Michaela, 33, looked incredible in a flowing backless gown and with a statement red cuff sleeve detail.

Michaela, nominated for hit show I May Destroy You – which she wrote and starred in – looked sensational as she slicked back her raven tresses and accentuated her features with bold lipstick. 

With her dress featuring a peephole descending the length of much of her torso, the star added a selection of gold accessories to her gown, including a chunky chain necklace and some statement rings.  

Strictly Come Dancing star Oti, 30, looked sensational as she stepped out in a deeply plunging cream gown, which boasted a daring thigh-high slit.

Standing tall in a pair of silver strappy heels, the South African beauty’s dress of choice perfectly hugged and flattered her enviably toned frame as she posed up a storm for photographers.

With a pair of dazzling drop earrings complementing her stunning ensemble, the TV personality wore her honey brown tresses in a playful bob, while her good looks were highlighted with a palette of glossy makeup.

She was joined on the red carpet by Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman, who stood out on the red carpet in a dramatic black poncho dress, which enveloped her frame.

Claudia’s dress was fringed with a series of shimmering silver tassels, adding a contrasting touch to her look, which also included a pair of vertiginous black heels.

Toting a black envelope clutch bag, the TV personality wore her signature raven locks in a straight sleek style with a long fringe, while a generous application of makeup highlighted her looks. 

Helena Bonham Carter looked fun and flirty as she arrived on the red carpet in a white layered sleeveless gown, which was decorated with an array of black polka dots.

Wearing her chestnut brown locks in a half-updo, the 55-year-old The Crown star bucked convention by adding a pair of sunglasses to her accessories, which included hoop earrings.

She was joined on the red carpet by her beau Rye Holmboe, who cut a dapper figure in a classic black tuxedo. 

Also in attendance was AJ Odudu, who stunned as she stepped out in a red feathered one-shoulder gown, which boasted a backless feature. 

This year, BAFTA beamed celebrities that can’t attend onto the red carpet as holograms.  

And ceremony hosts Stacey Dooley and Vick Hope introduced the hologram guests to those actually at the socially distanced ceremony.  

Of her red carpet role, Vick revealed last week: ‘If you’re anything like me, over the last year your WhatsApp groups will have been nonstop about a recent episode or moment in the latest TV drama, documentary, reality or even cooking show.

‘It’s made me fall in love with TV all over again, and it’s because of this that I think that the Virgin Media BAFTAs feels extra special this year. 

‘To be able to chat directly with the TV fans who have voted for their favourite Must-See Moment nominee and connect them to their favourite stars via holograms live on the red carpet will be a unique, once in a lifetime experience. 

‘I’m so excited to bring a bit of this magic to the fans at home, it’s going to be an emotional one.’

COVID-19 restrictions meant TV fans couldn’t be in attendance on the red carpet as usual this year and some nominees were unable to attend because of filming bubbles.

All content was captured by a live stream camera and to enable everyone at home to see the action unfold from the comfort of their living room. 

Members of the public watched a livestream of the red carpet and be a part of the glamour by visiting Virgin’s website from noon on Sunday.

They also chose from a selection of digital red carpet outfits to help them get into the spirit of the Awards and get ready carpet ready.

If selected, they were beamed onto the red carpet and even asked a question to their favourite celeb with a video of the interaction being sent to the fan after.

Several of the year’s biggest TV moments were celebrated on Sunday, with Diversity’s controversial BLM-inspired routine on Britain’s Got Talent, which sparked 24,500 complaints to Ofcom, featured in the must-see moment category.  

The category, which is voted for by the public, saw nods to Penelope being revealed as Lady Whistledown in Bridgerton and when Luke Skywalker appearing in the climax of The Mandalorian’s second season. 

However it’s Small Axe which lead this year’s nominations with 15 nods.

The BBC One anthology film series, directed by Sir Steve McQueen, picked up six TV nominations and nine in the craft categories, including a nod for the Mini-Series gong alongside Normal People, Adult Material and I May Destroy You.

Small Axe – which features five films that tell stories about lives of West Indian immigrants in London from the 1960s to the 1980s – also picked up two Leading Actor nominations with John Boyega and Shaun Parkes both receiving nods.

Letitia Wright, who also starred in the series, was up for the Leading Actress prize, and she will face competition from Billie Piper (I Hate Suzie), Daisy Edgar-Jones (Normal People), Hayley Squires (Adult Material), Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) and Michaela Coel (I May Destroy You). 

Elsewhere, I May Destroy You star Paapa Essiedu was against John and Shaun for the Leading Actor award, as well as Normal People actor Paul Mescal, Baghdad Central’s Waleed Zuaiter, and The Crown’s Josh O’Connor.

The Crown received 10 nominations – four for TV and six for the craft categories – including a nod for the Drama Series accolade alongside I Hate Suzie, Save Me Too and Gangs of London.

Other nods included This Country, Man Like Mobeen, Inside No. 9, and Ghosts for the Scripted Comedy prize, and siblings and This Country creators Daisy May and Charlie Cooper received nominations for the Female and Male Performance in a Comedy Programme gongs, respectively. 

The ceremony was hosted by Richard Ayoade, while Stacey and Vick took charge of the red carpet presenting.