BBC1 dramas cleaned up at the Bafta TV Craft Awards, with Small Axe leading the way after converting five of its 10 nominations into trophies. The five-part series, conceived and overseen by Steve McQueen, was recognised for costume design; make-up and hair; production design; scripted casting; and photography and lighting: fiction.
However, Turner- and Oscar-winning McQueen was left empty-handed in the director: fiction category, with Michaela Coel crowned for her BBC1 series I May Destroy You alongside her co-director Sam Miller. Coel was named best writer for the 12-part series, a forensic look at sexual politics that drew on her own experiences. The drama’s editing team was also recognised.
In the emerging talent categories, Georgi Banks-Davies took home the fiction prize for Sky Atlantic’s I Hate Suzie, while in factual, Marian Mohamed won for her directing debut, BBC3 documentary Defending Digga D.
Another notable debut winner was comedy writer Sophie Willan for her BBC2 sitcom pilot Alma's Not Normal. Willan was the first recipient of the BBC's Caroline Aherne Comedy Bursary and is now in production on a full series.
Meanwhile, BBC1/HBO fantasy drama series His Dark Materials took home two awards: sound: fiction and special, visual and graphic effects. Other notable winners included I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!, which won the entertainment craft team for transposing the 2020 series from New South Wales to a Welsh castle; and Claire Guillon, director of BBC2 documentary Lee Miller: A Life on the Front Line.
The awards will be followed on 6 June by the Bafta TV Awards, where Small Axe is in contention in a further five categories.
The Talent Manager
