Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio surprisingly snubbed at BAFTAs

The BAFTAs on Sunday left people puzzled. This was especially true for Timothée Chalamet.

Traditionally, the UK's film awards frequently point to who will win Best Actor at the Oscars.

In 10 of the last 11 cases, those who won in London also took home the Academy Award in Los Angeles.

Timothée Chalamet is still slightly favoured for the Oscar in March, but his loss on Sunday indicates he might not be as strong a contender as thought. WireImage

This weekend noted the first occasion since Jamie Bell triumphed for his role in “Billy Elliot” in 2001 that someone wasn't nominated for an Oscar in March but won the Best Actor award. The winner was 33-year-old English actor Robert Aramayo for “I Swear.”

Often the runner-up, Chalamet still maintains a slight edge for “Marty Supreme,” having been victorious at both the Critics Choice and Golden Globe awards.

With 25% of the academy's voters residing overseas and influenced by the BAFTAs, Chalamet's recent defeat suggests he isn't as formidable a contender as once believed.

Voters worldwide might favour Leonardo DiCaprio from BAFTA's top film “One Battle After Another,” Michael B. Jordan for “Sinners,” or Brazil's Wagner Moura for “The Secret Agent.”

Chalamet stands to benefit by gaining traction with a win at the Actor (SAG) Awards next weekend. This was crucial for Brendan Fraser’s victory (“The Whale”) over Butler (“Elvis”) in 2023.

However, Chalamet won at SAG last year for “A Complete Unknown,” and no one has ever won that prestigious award back-to-back.

Another British star, Wunmi Mosaku, clinched Best Supporting Actress for “Sinners” — this marked her first major win this season. 

Previously, Teyana Taylor (“One Battle”) and Amy Madigan (“Weapons”) were neck and neck. Now, all three remain in the race as upcoming weeks unfold.

Sean Penn from “One Battle,” who had been overshadowed in favor of co-stars Benicio del Toro and Stellan Skarsgård from “Sentimental Value,” finally got his moment. This announcement sets the stage for yet another tight competition.

What’s nearly guaranteed? The exceptional Irish actress Jessie Buckley from “Hamnet,” who snagged Best Actress, is poised to secure the Oscar as well. Rose Byrne’s indie project “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” is considered too eclectic and divisive.

In addition, “One Battle After Another” and its director Paul Thomas Anderson look set for a stellar evening on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre.