BAFTA nominations bring surprise snubs for 'Wicked: For Good'

The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards nominations were revealed on Tuesday, and while blockbuster musical Wicked: For Good did secure recognition, it was limited to technical honors rather than headline acting or film categories. 

The sequel to the 2024 hit earned nominations for Best Makeup and Hair and Best Costume Design, but its lead performers were overlooked by BAFTA voters amid a strong field of contenders.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who reprise their roles as Glinda and Elphaba, did not receive nominations in the acting categories. 

According to Daily Mail, fans and industry watchers expressed surprise that the musical sequel missed out on recognition for its stars, particularly given the high profile of the Wicked franchise and its commercial success.

The broader BAFTA list was dominated by films including One Battle After Another, which led with 14 nominations, and Sinners, which closely followed with 13 nods across major categories such as Best Film and directing honors. 

Moreover, other strong performers in the nominations race included Hamnet, Marty Supreme, and Sentimental Value, all of which secured multiple nominations in craft and acting categories.

As per the outlet, industry observers note that the Wicked sequel’s focus on spectacle and its mixed critical reception may have limited its awards traction despite audience enthusiasm.

Still, its technical nominations reflect recognition of the production’s visual and design achievements, underscoring the depth of competition in BAFTA’s 2026 slate.