The BAFTA Film Awards have always been synonymous with glitz, blockbuster films, and dazzling awards. Yet every so often, the event takes an unexpected twist into political satire, turning the ceremony into a high-energy standup set. This year, the legendary David Tennant did just that with a sizzling roast of Donald Trump that left the audience both shocked and laughing.
The 2025 ceremony in London was a celebration of cinema’s finest. The night was dominated by top winners like “Conclave” and “The Brutalist,” with both films walking away with four awards apiece. “Conclave” clinched accolades for Best Film, Outstanding British Film, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Editing, while “The Brutalist” earned honors for Best Director, Best Actor, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Score.
Adrien Brody took home Best Actor for his riveting performance in “The Brutalist,” and the young, talented Mikey Madison won Best Actress for her standout role in the darkly comic “Anora.” Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Perez” was also celebrated as the Best Film Not in the English Language, despite a hint of controversy surrounding its lead star.
David Tennant Heavily Roasted Donald Trump During the BAFTAS Ceremony
But the evening’s real spark came from David Tennant’s opening monologue. With his trademark wit, the Scottish star—known for his iconic roles in “Doctor Who” and “Inside Man”—kicked off his set by taking playful digs at Donald Trump.
He began by comparing Sebastian Stan’s hair in “The Apprentice” to Trump’s infamous hairstyle, a quip that instantly resonated with the crowd.
- Read also: Trump’s Administration is Bizarrely Making White House Men the Perfect Fathers and Here’s Why
Without missing a beat, David Tennant labeled Trump a “villain,” drawing loud applause and cheers from the audience. He then joked about how Trump might have missed “The Apprentice” simply because it was rated 15 and not exactly Nickelodeon-friendly.
And just when the laughs seemed to peak, he quipped, “I’ve said his name three times, I’m worried I’ve summoned him,” a tongue-in-cheek nod to the mischievous spirit of Beetlejuice.
BBC cut 2 or the 3 jokes about Donald Trump by David Tennant at the BAFTAs
First is in this clip, “A film about incredible architecture.. In fact it’s the boldest architecture in film this year apart from Donald Trump’s hair in The Apprentice”
The two censored jokes:
“Donald… pic.twitter.com/rkp0gcSWlR
— Farrukh (@implausibleblog) February 16, 2025
Although a few of his sharper jokes were trimmed from the broadcast due to time constraints, Tennant’s performance was widely hailed as the highlight of the night—an unforgettable blend of humor and audacity that perfectly encapsulated the unpredictable magic of the BAFTAs.