The occasion celebrates Wales’ best creative talent from the worlds of film and TV
Carol Vorderman is recognised for her outstanding contribution to TV(Image: Getty Images for BAFTA)
Matthew Rhys has yet another award for his mantlepiece, though you’d think he’d invested in some sort of display cabinet by now. The Cardiff actor took once again recognised for his phenomenal performance in psychological thriller The Beast in Me at Sunday night’s 2026 BAFTA Cymru Awards, where he won Best Actor.
He saw off competition from Callum Scott Howells in Madfabulous, Jonathan Pryce in Under Salt Marsh and Tom Cullen for Trespasses. Rhys was unable to attend the ceremony in Wales to collect his award.
The winners were announced during a ceremony at the ICC Wales in Newport on Sunday night, hosted by Welsh TV presenter Owain Wyn Evans.
The BAFTA Cymru Awards are the biggest annual celebration of creative excellence across film and television in Wales.
TV presenter Carol Vorderman was present to receive the BAFTA Cymru Siân Phillips Award for Outstanding Contribution to Television, one of BAFTA Cymru’s highest honours. She told WalesOnline on the red carpet that it was Esther Rantzen who made her believe she could make it on television.
While casting director Lauren Evans was awarded the inaugural BAFTA Cymru Outstanding Contribution to Craft Award, presented by actor Sion Daniel Young.
In total, 17 competitive awards were presented across the evening as well as the two BAFTA Outstanding Contribution Awards. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter
The full list of winners for the 35th BAFTA Cymru Awards
- Actor: Matthew Rhys, The Beast in Me
- Actress: Gabrielle Creevy for The Guest
- Children’s Programme: Itopia
- Director (Factual): Rhys Edwards for Y Crwydryn
- Director (Fiction): Karen Pirie
- Editing: Mali Evans for Y Golau: Dwr
- Entertainment Programme: Amour a Mynydd
- Factual series: Stori’r Iaith
- Feature/TV Film: Mr Burton
- News and Current Affairs: Foden: O Brifathro i Bedoffeil
- Outstanding contribution to craft: Lauren Evans
- Photography and lighting (fiction): Under Salt Marsh
- Presenter: Mari Grug
- Short Film: Gofod Ymennydd – Brain Space,
- Sian Phillips Award for Outstanding Contribution: Carol Vorderman
- Single documentary: Y Crwydryn
- Sound: Havoc
- TV drama: Y Golau: Dwr
- Writer: Matthew Barry for The Guest
