BAFTA's Behind-the-Scenes Stars Steal the Spotlight at TV Craft Awards

Olivia Bennett, 4/28/2025BAFTA's TV Craft Awards celebrated the unsung heroes behind television's magic, with "Baby Reindeer" taking center stage. Hosted by Stacey Dooley, the event highlighted exceptional craftsmanship in sound, lighting, and effects, showcasing the industry's transformation and talent ahead of the BAFTA Television Awards in May.

Let's be honest: these are the folks who make our favorite shows actually work. While we're all swooning over Gary Oldman's gruff charm in "Slow Horses" or gasping at the feudal Japanese landscapes in "Shōgun," there's an army of unsung heroes making that magic happen. And darling, did they ever shine.

The ever-delightful Stacey Dooley (who's somehow even more charming in person than on screen) hosted an evening that saw Netflix's "Baby Reindeer" emerge as the night's golden child. Apple TV+'s "Slow Horses" and Disney+'s "Rivals" weren't far behind — proof that streaming services have well and truly crashed the party in the best possible way.

Speaking of parties, The Brewery — that gorgeous 18th-century architectural gem — proved the perfect setting. There's something rather poetic about celebrating television's finest craftspeople in a venue that's mastered its own transformation from historic brewery to modern events space, don't you think?

The evening's most touching moment came when soap opera legend Anita Dobson presented the Television Craft Special Award to "EastEnders." As the show marks 40 years of keeping Britain glued to their screens (feeling old yet?), head of genre Kate Oates and executive producer Ben Wadey accepted the honor. Their heartfelt speech about nurturing new talent had more than a few misty eyes in the house.

But darlings, let's talk about the technical categories — because this is where television is truly giving cinema a run for its money. "Shōgun" snatched the Photography & Lighting: Fiction trophy, while "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" proved that television can now conjure visual effects worthy of Middle-earth itself. The sound team behind "Slow Horses" created an auditory landscape that's practically a character in itself, while "Rivals" served period-perfect hair and makeup that would make time travelers do a double-take.

Benedict Wong, Angela Rippon, and India Ria Amarteifio added some familiar faces to the proceedings, though they were careful not to steal focus from the evening's true stars — those brilliant craftspeople who usually work their magic in the shadows.

Consider this glamorous evening a tantalizing appetizer for the main course: the BAFTA Television Awards, set to unfold at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall on May 11. Alan Cumming will be wielding the hosting duties (and presumably some wickedly sharp wit). "Baby Reindeer" leads the pack with eight nominations, while "Rivals," "Slow Horses," and "Mr Bates vs the Post Office" are hot on its heels with six each.

As the champagne bubbles faded and the last awards were handed out, one truth crystallized: we're living in television's golden age not just because of the stars who grace our screens, but because of these masterful artists who transform good television into something extraordinary. Whether they're crafting the perfect sound mix or creating period-perfect curls, these are the wizards who make the magic real.

And darling, that's worth celebrating any day of the week.

London's historic Brewery venue sparkled with an unusual kind of stardust last night — not from A-list celebrities, but from television's brilliant behind-the-scenes magicians who finally got their moment in the spotlight at the BAFTA TV Craft Awards.Let's be honest: these are the folks who make our favorite shows actually work. While we're all swooning over Gary Oldman's gruff charm in "Slow Horses" or gasping at the feudal Japanese landscapes in "Shōgun," there's an army of unsung heroes making that magic happen. And darling, did they ever shine.The ever-delightful Stacey Dooley (who's somehow even more charming in person than on screen) hosted an evening that saw Netflix's "Baby Reindeer" emerge as the night's golden child. Apple TV+'s "Slow Horses" and Disney+'s "Rivals" weren't far behind — proof that streaming services have well and truly crashed the party in the best possible way.Speaking of parties, The Brewery — that gorgeous 18th-century architectural gem — proved the perfect setting. There's something rather poetic about celebrating television's finest craftspeople in a venue that's mastered its own transformation from historic brewery to modern events space, don't you think?The evening's most touching moment came when soap opera legend Anita Dobson presented the Television Craft Special Award to "EastEnders." As the show marks 40 years of keeping Britain glued to their screens (feeling old yet?), head of genre Kate Oates and executive producer Ben Wadey accepted the honor. Their heartfelt speech about nurturing new talent had more than a few misty eyes in the house.But darlings, let's talk about the technical categories — because this is where television is truly giving cinema a run for its money. "Shōgun" snatched the Photography & Lighting: Fiction trophy, while "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" proved that television can now conjure visual effects worthy of Middle-earth itself. The sound team behind "Slow Horses" created an auditory landscape that's practically a character in itself, while "Rivals" served period-perfect hair and makeup that would make time travelers do a double-take.Benedict Wong, Angela Rippon, and India Ria Amarteifio added some familiar faces to the proceedings, though they were careful not to steal focus from the evening's true stars — those brilliant craftspeople who usually work their magic in the shadows.Consider this glamorous evening a tantalizing appetizer for the main course: the BAFTA Television Awards, set to unfold at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall on May 11. Alan Cumming will be wielding the hosting duties (and presumably some wickedly sharp wit). "Baby Reindeer" leads the pack with eight nominations, while "Rivals," "Slow Horses," and "Mr Bates vs the Post Office" are hot on its heels with six each.As the champagne bubbles faded and the last awards were handed out, one truth crystallized: we're living in television's golden age not just because of the stars who grace our screens, but because of these masterful artists who transform good television into something extraordinary. Whether they're crafting the perfect sound mix or creating period-perfect curls, these are the wizards who make the magic real.And darling, that's worth celebrating any day of the week.