Gay’s the way at this year’s BAFTAs
LGBT programmes have led the way at this year’s BAFTA Television Awards.
Gay drama, London Spy, has followed it critical acclaim with two nods from the academy. First for leading actor, Ben Whishaw, and the second for Best Mini Series.
The show, which aired late last year, is set around two young men, Danny (played by Whishaw) and Alex (played by Edward Holcroft), who fall in love. However, things quickly untangle when Alex, who is a spy, turns up dead. Danny is left fighting for the truth in a world that he knows nothing about.
Russell T Davies’ Cucumber, the companion series that aired alongside Banana and Tofu, earned Cyril Nri a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his portrayal of Lance, boyfriend of Henry, the programme’s protagonist.
Fans were left shocked when Nri’s character was brutally killed off in a homophobic attack and many critics described his performance at the time as outstanding.
Oscar nominee, Sir Ian McKellen, has also been nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category for his part in TV film, The Dresser.
Playing the assistant to an aging actor, determined to still put on shows despite his ranks depleted from World War Two conscriptions, McKellen worked alongside Sir Anthony Hopkins in the movie that aired on BBC Two in October last year.
In Best Entertainment Performance, both Stephen Fry and Graham Norton have been nominated. Norton for his self-entitled show and Fry for his role as Quizmaster on QI.
QI has also picked up a nod for Best Comedy and Comedy Entertainment Programme.
In the Reality and Constructed Factual category, Channel Four’s Gogglebox has been nominated along with First Dates. Gogglebox, which see families and friends watch some of the nation’s most popular TV shows, features gay best friends, Chris and Stephen.
First Dates was one of the first dating shows to include same-sex couples alongside straight ones.
For a one-off documentary, Louis Theroux has been nominated in Best Single Documentary for Transgender Kids.
The hour long programme, which aired on BBC Two last May, seen Theroux travel to San Francisco to meet medical professionals help children suffering from gender dysphoria to transition.
The awards take place on Sunday, May 8, at the Royal Festival Hall, London.
