Scottish actor and television personality Alan Cumming has been announced as the host of the 2024 Bafta TV Awards, marking his first time presenting the prestigious event.
The 60-year-old star, best known for his roles in The Good Wife and the US version of The Traitors, will take centre stage at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London this May.
For the past two years, the ceremony has been jointly hosted by comedians Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan, who have also worked together on the Sky TV show Rob & Romesh vs….
A celebrated career on stage and screen
Alan Cumming has long been a standout figure in film, television, and theatre, earning accolades for his diverse performances across genres.
Born in Perthshire, Scotland, he first gained widespread recognition for his theatrical success. His performance as the Emcee in the 1994 London production of Cabaret earned him an Olivier Award nomination, and he later won a Tony Award in 1998 when he reprised the role on Broadway.
In addition to Cabaret, he won the 1991 Olivier Award for Best Comedy Performance for his role in Accidental Death of an Anarchist.
His extensive film career includes roles in GoldenEye (1995), Get Carter (2000), and Spy Kids (2001), in which he played the eccentric children’s TV host Fegan Floop. He also portrayed Nightcrawler, the blue-skinned mutant, in X2: X-Men United (2003).
More recently, Cumming has been recognised for his television work, starring as Eli Gold in the acclaimed CBS legal drama The Good Wife from 2009 to 2016. His performance earned him three Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe nominations.
Cumming’s return to the Baftas
While this will be his first time hosting the Bafta TV Awards, Cumming is no stranger to the British Academy. He received a Scottish Bafta nomination for Best Actor in 1993 for his role in Prague and was honoured with the Scottish Bafta for Outstanding Contribution to Film and Television in 2018.
Speaking about Cumming’s appointment, Bafta executive director Emma Baehr praised his playful and mischievous personality, hinting that his presence will add a unique energy to the event.
“Alan will definitely bring a playful sense of mischief and fun to the ceremony, so audiences should expect the unexpected.”
Baehr also highlighted the high calibre of British television talent set to be celebrated at the awards, with nominations for the best of 2024 due to be announced this Thursday at midday.
Success with the traitors
Cumming has found recent success as the host of the US version of The Traitors, a psychological reality competition based on the BBC format presented by Claudia Winkleman.
While the American version features reality stars rather than ordinary contestants, it is filmed in the same Scottish Highlands castle as its British counterpart and shares many of the same dramatic elements, including theatrical eliminations and tense deception-based gameplay.
More Read
His hosting style—part camp, part sinister—was widely praised, leading him to win two Emmy Awards in 2024:
- Outstanding Host for a Reality Competition Program
- Outstanding Reality Competition Program (as a producer)
Beyond acting: Advocacy and independence
Outside of his acting career, Cumming has been vocal about his political and social beliefs.
In 2023, he made headlines when he returned his OBE, which he had received in 2009 for his work in acting and LGBTQ+ advocacy. He explained his decision by citing his misgivings about the legacy of the British Empire, particularly following Queen Elizabeth II’s passing.
Cumming has also been a prominent supporter of Scottish independence, backing a Yes vote in the 2014 referendum.
Looking ahead to the Bafta TV awards
With his sharp wit and theatrical flair, Cumming’s debut as Bafta TV Awards host is highly anticipated. The event, which celebrates the best in British television, will be broadcast on BBC One and iPlayer on Sunday, 11 May.
His appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the awards, and fans can expect an evening filled with humour, charm, and a touch of Cumming’s signature mischief.
