Talking to people immediately after they’ve won a BAFTA is a surreal experience to say the least. On the one hand, they are at their very best, delighted with the win and more than happy to gush about the wonderful team they worked with and the television show that resulted. On the other hand, they are often completely shell-shocked and still processing what’s just happened.
The teams behind both Broadchurch and Doctor Who remained tight-lipped about what fans can expect in the future so sadly no intriguing plot reveals here for series two of Broadchurch or the new Peter Capaldi-led Doctor Who, other than the fact that everyone involved is clearly beside themselves with excitement!
David Bradley was evidently very proud of the part he’d played in Broadchurch, saying ‘it’s just a treat for an actor to be part of something [like this].‘ He continued by explaining that ‘it was a contentious issue that was dealt with with such delicacy and empathy.‘ Though he could not have predicted, perhaps, that the success of the show would be so great that people would wind their car windows down and shout out ‘Did you kill Danny?‘ which he says happened often.
David Attenborough dazzled the assembled press with that majestic voice of his, saying that ‘we were going out on a bit of a limb‘ and praised the team he worked with for David Attenborough’s Natural History Museum Alive 3D. The message and the importance of his shows in protecting our planet is clearly something that drives him. He looked down at the BAFTA award in his hand and said, with a smile, ‘my ambition is that she’ll open the other eye.‘
Aaron Paul was clearly buzzing by the time he reached us at the end of the night, extremely appreciative of the British support for Breaking Bad and calling the win ‘an incredible honour’. He did insist that he tries to leave his work on the set but acknowledged that he has a very patient wife who understands his process. Check out more of our chat with him by clicking here.
Sarah Lancashire had just realised a massive omission from her acceptance speech by the time she reached us and was so mortified she could barely speak – except, that is, to say just how wonderful Sally Wainwright really is and how much of an effect she has had on her. ‘It’s not necessarily that she writes brilliantly for women,‘ Lancashire explained, ‘she seems to write brilliantly for everyone.’
The IT Crowd was well represented by Katherine Parkinson and Richard Ayoade who both clearly adore the work they’ve done. Parkinson said that she surprised herself. ‘I did feel a little bit emotional,’ she said, talking about the end of the show. ‘I feel like I’ve grown up on [it].‘
When I asked Ayoade if he had any plans to direct a movie version of The IT Crowd, he categorically refused, saying it was all Graham Linehan. When asked if he preferred being in front or behind the camera, Ayoade smiled and told us that ‘despite the swagger … I’m not a natural frontman.‘ He clearly revels in his directorial work.
Julie Walters said being awarded the fellowship was ‘a huge accolade’. Though the much-loved actress has a body of work on TV, stage and film, she was quick to stand up for the importance of television. ‘It’s in people’s homes, so it’s massively powerful and it’s been very good to me.‘ When speaking about her career TV highlights she mentioned working with Victoria Wood and even told us that she loves watching I’m a Celebrity… but would never want to be on it!
Cilla Black confessed that she almost lost her composure when she received a standing ovation. ‘When the whole of the audience stood up, I thought “this is for me?”’ Black corrected the term celebrate, insisting that she was ‘Cilla-brating’ the honour of receiving the award and went on to say, ‘I’ve been doing exactly what I’ve wanted to do all my life.‘
And now, Sheridan Smith has taken on the role of portraying Cilla, who is delighted with the casting and has met with Smith to discuss it.
For all our coverage from the BAFTA TV Awards 2014, head here.
