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Entertainment··2 min read·

Matthew Rhys Wins Best Actor at Bafta Cymru 2026

Carol Vorderman and Lauren Evans receive Outstanding Contribution honours at Newport ceremony

Matthew Rhys Wins Best Actor at Bafta Cymru 2026
Image: PhilipRomano vía Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) — by-sa

The awards highlight the growing strength and international reach of Wales' screen industries, with Rhys's win and Evans's call for continued progress underscoring both the sector's achievements and the work still needed to support Welsh creative talent.

Rhys and Creevy Lead Acting Honours

Matthew Rhys was named Best Actor at the Bafta Cymru Awards for his performance in a Netflix thriller, adding to a successful run this awards season. The ceremony took place at ICC Wales in Newport, where the event has been staged since 2024. Gabrielle Creevy collected her second Best Actress award, while Mari Grug received her first Bafta Cymru prize for presenting in Mari Grug: Yn dydd Ar Y Tro.[S1][S2][S3]

Y Golau: Dwr collected a pair of trophies, while Matthew Barry earned Best Writer for The Guest. The Single Documentary prize went to Y Crwydryn, and Rhys Edwards was honoured as Director Factual for that same production. Amour a Mynydd was named winner in the Entertainment Programme category, and Stori'r Iaith took the Factual Series award.[S1]

Outstanding Contributions Celebrated

Carol Vorderman described herself as humbled and excited to be given an outstanding contribution award. Lauren Evans, who comes from Hendy in Carmarthenshire, received the first-ever Outstanding Contribution to Craft award for her work on titles such as Game of Thrones, King Lear and The Danish Girl. Evans also picked up Best Casting and said she felt incredibly proud to represent Welsh voices at the 2026 ceremony.[S1]

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Evans expressed her honour at being acknowledged at the Bafta Cymru awards, adding that she hopes to continue raising the profile of Welsh creatives and Welsh talent. She noted that the industry is less closed than it used to be, though she stressed that significant work still lies ahead. Lee Walters, chair of Bafta Cymru, remarked that the two women had followed very different routes yet both accomplished a great deal and were fully deserving of the recognition.[S1]

Walters had offered his congratulations to the nominees the previous month, calling each one a reflection of the imagination, expertise and commitment of those employed in Wales' screen sector, whether on screen or off it. Altogether, 17 awards were handed out that night, together with two Bafta Outstanding Contribution honours.[S1]

Sources: BBC · BBC (2) · Walesonline
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    Topics
    Bafta CymruMatthew RhysCarol VordermanWelsh filmAwards
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    Editor in charge · Political and economic analyst

    Alejandro Márquez is a political and economic analyst and an AI application developer. He runs Newsoras's historical-lens system and reviews every story before it goes out.

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