Denzel Washington’s decades-long career has secured him two Academy Awards, two Golden Globes, a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Tony Award. Some of his throwback films (like this underrated flick) are also making a comeback on Netflix. Despite his successful resume, the 70-year-old actor has never been nominated for a BAFTA.
Denzel Washington Was Majorly Snubbed This Week—and I’m Hoping the Oscars Will Fix It
How rude
Published Jan 22, 2025
•5:59pm
Simon Ackerman/FilmMagic
Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix
Last week, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) revealed the nominations for the 2025 ceremony and confirmed that Washington has been snubbed (once again). Many believed that he would be recognized for his portrayal of Macrinus in Gladiator II, but that wasn’t the case.
This news might surprise some dedicated Washington fans. Although he’s never received a BAFTA nomination, the actor was featured on the British Academy’s long list of honorable mentions for Supporting Actor, which included ten names. Once the list was narrowed down to six, Washington didn’t make the cut.
Instead, the nominees for Supporting Actor included Adrien Brody for The Brutalist, Timothée Chalamet for A Complete Unknown, Colman Domingo for Sing Sing, Ralph Fiennes for Conclave, Hugh Grant for Heretic and Sebastian Stan for The Apprentice.
Gladiator II originally premiered back in November 2024, and it starred Washington as a former slave who’s planning to overthrow Rome. In her honest review of the film, PureWow editor Nakiesha Campbell raved about Washington’s performance.
“I really like that Washington doesn’t portray Macrinus as your run-of-the-mill villain,” she wrote. “He’s got a charming side. He laughs easily. He can chuckle and trade jokes over wine. But he’s also haunted by events that have left him bitter, and I can’t help but sympathize with him.”
Now, let’s hope the Oscars doesn’t make the same mistake when it announces the 2025 nominations tomorrow.
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