Bafta TV 2021 nominations sees Small Axe lead with 15 nominations while The Crown and I May Destroy You clean-up

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts 2021 nominations have been announced and Small Axe has proved to be miles ahead of its competition. 

Sir Steve McQueen’s compelling anthology series, which featured the films Lovers Rock and Mangrove, is leading this year’s awards after receiving a staggering 15 nominations for the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards and British Academy Television Craft Awards.

These include leading actor for John Boyega who starred as real life police officer Leroy Logan in the Small Axe film Red, White and Blue, while Shaun Parkes has also earned a nod for his performance as Frank Crichlow in Mangrove. 

The Crown has brought in 10 nominations for Netflix, which include leading actor for Josh O’Connor who played Prince Charles, supporting actor for Tobias Mezies who starred as Prince Philip and supporting actress for Helena Bonham Carter who took on the role of Princess Margaret in season 4. 

Michaela Coel’s I May Destroy You has received wide recognition with an impressive eight nominations. These include a leading actress nod for Coel, leading actor for Paapa Essiedu, supporting actress for Weruche Opia and best mini-series. 

Normal People has earned seven nominations, with Paul Mescal scooping a leading actor nod and Daisy Edgar-Jones landing leading actress. 

Strictly Come Dancing has earned four nominations, including entertainment programme, in which they’re up against Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, The Masked Singer and Life & Rhymes. 

Among the first time Bafta nominees are Normal People’s Mescal and Edgar-Jones, I May Destroy You’s Opia and Small Axe’s Parkes.

It’s also the first time that Boyega, Micheal Ward and Rupert Everett have been nominated in performance categories.

The Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards ceremony takes place on Sunday 6 June on BBC One and BBC One HD, and the British Academy Television Craft Awards will be streamed on BAFTA’s social channels on Monday 24 May.

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