Robert Aramayo: From Hull to Juilliard and BAFTA Triumph Over Timothée Chalamet

Published: 23 February 2026 . The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

In one of the most surprising results in recent awards history, British actor Robert Aramayo has shot to international fame after his stunning wins at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards — including Best Leading Actor, where he beat Hollywood favourites such as Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio for his lead role in I Swear. The 33‑year‑old’s journey from a working‑class childhood in Hull to training at New York’s prestigious Juilliard School and ultimately dominating one of cinema’s biggest nights is a story of talent, perseverance and unexpected triumph.

Born Robert Michael Aramayo in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire in November 1992, he grew up in a modest family where creative spark and hard work were nurtured from an early age. He first took to the stage at just seven years old playing Bugsy Malone in a school production, and by ten he had joined the Hull Truck Youth Theatre, performing in multiple plays each year — a formative experience that set his acting ambitions on course.

After excelling at Wyke College in Hull, Aramayo won a place at The Juilliard School in New York City in 2011, one of the world’s most prestigious performing arts institutions. There he honed his craft, performing in demanding stage works such as A Clockwork Orange, a role that helped launch his professional career and eventually led to his first film role.

Aramayo steadily built a diverse résumé, appearing as a young Eddard Stark in acclaimed HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones and winning roles in projects including Nocturnal Animals, Netflix’s Behind Her Eyes and, since 2022, as Elrond in Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

But it was his portrayal of John Davidson, a real‑life Tourette syndrome campaigner, in the British drama I Swear (2025) that truly changed his profile. At the 79th BAFTA Film Awards in London, Aramayo not only took home the Best Leading Actor award — in a category crowded with superstar names — but also won the EE Rising Star award earlier in the evening, making him one of the night’s standout winners.

Accepting the top acting prize, a visibly emotional Aramayo said he “honestly cannot believe” he had won, speaking from the stage at London’s Royal Festival Hall about being in the same category as icons he’s admired — a moment that brought both surprise and admiration from peers and audiences alike.

While I Swear did not win Outstanding British Film, the acclaim and visibility Aramayo brought to the role have made him one of the most talked‑about figures in this year’s awards season, and his performance has set up what many see as a major moment in his career trajectory going into future international releases and possibly the Oscars.

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