Overview

• Dame Maggie Smith and Dame Joan Plowright were omitted from the BAFTA TV Awards' In Memoriam segment, sparking widespread criticism online.
• BAFTA clarified that both actors had been honored earlier this year at the BAFTA Film Awards, in line with its policy of separating tributes by television and film careers.
• Maggie Smith, who passed away in September 2024 at age 89, was celebrated for her roles in 'Downton Abbey,' 'Harry Potter,' and a six-decade career across stage and screen.
• Joan Plowright, who retired in 2014 and died in January 2025, was recognized for her work in 'Dennis the Menace,' '101 Dalmatians,' and her Oscar-nominated role in 'Enchanted April.'
• The BAFTA TV Awards, hosted by Alan Cumming at London’s Royal Festival Hall, featured tributes to TV figures such as Michael Moseley, Roberta Taylor, and Richard Chamberlain.