Michael B. Jordan Earns First BAFTA Nomination For “Sinners”

The recognition marks one more feather in the cap of “Sinners,” for which Jordan is nominated. It also continues the film’s dominant run through the 2026 awards season so far.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts unveiled the full list of nominees for the 79th BAFTA Film Awards on Tuesday, with “Sinners” firmly positioned among the ceremony’s top contenders.

The prestigious event is set to take place in London towards the end of February, with Alan Cumming as host.

Jordan achieved his first-ever BAFTA nomination in one of the ceremony’s most prestigious categories, landing a “Leading Actor” nod at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards.

In “Sinners,” Jordan plays the twin brothers Elijah and Elias Moore. The siblings are former Chicago gangsters who return to their 1930s Mississippi hometown to open a juke joint, only to find themselves confronting a sinister supernatural force.

Jordan’s performance has drawn widespread critical acclaim, with Frank J. Avella of The Contending calling it the actor’s “best role of an already impressive career.”

The category, however, is stacked. Jordan will face stiff competition from Timothée Chalamet (“Marty Supreme”), Leonardo DiCaprio (“One Battle After Another”), Ethan Hawke (“Blue Moon”), Robert Aramayo (“I Swear”), and Jesse Plemons (“Bugonia”).

Jordan’s work in “Sinners” has also placed him in contention for the industry’s highest honor, an Academy Award for “Best Actor in a Leading Role.”

He is in direct competition once again with fellow BAFTA nominees Chalamet, DiCaprio, and Hawke. Wagner Moura also joins the category for his role in “The Secret Agent.”

Meanwhile, “Sinners” led the field at the Oscars with a staggering 16 nominations, officially making it the most-nominated film in the ceremony’s history.

Jordan was apparently overjoyed when he first learnt of this incredible feat, and his first thought was to call his mother and share the news.

Much like its performance at the Oscar nominations, “Sinners” has emerged as the most dominant title at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards.

This time, the film has racked up an impressive 13 nominations across major categories.

“Sinners” is firmly in the conversation for “Best Film,” going head-to-head in that category with fellow prestige contenders “Hamnet” and “Sentimental Value.”

Ryan Coogler earned recognition for his work behind the camera and on the page, landing nominations for “Best Director” and “Original Screenplay.”

For the actors, Wunmi Mosaku secured a “Supporting Actress” nomination, making her the only other cast member aside from Jordan to be shortlisted.

“Sinners” has also picked up nods for “Cinematography,” “Sound,” and “Editing,” among others.

Coogler and Jordan have enjoyed a lot of success together over the years, but the way the world has responded to “Sinners” has left the actor a little stunned.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the actor admitted that he was still taking it all in. “[I’m] honestly still digesting it all,” he said.

Jordan went on to explain that seeing “Sinners” resonate so deeply with audiences and then receive validation from within the industry made the entire creative journey feel worthwhile.

“To see how [the film] resonated throughout the year with people, man,” Jordan said. “For all of these pieces to be singled out and acknowledged and honored with the nomination… It’s something that’s really hard to put into words right now.”

When Coogler first pitched the concept of “Sinners” to Jordan, it took some time before the actor responded positively.

Speaking alongside Coogler in a joint interview with Deadline, Jordan explained that his hesitation had less to do with doubts about “Sinners” itself and more to do with another idea he had hoped to explore with the filmmaker first.

Ultimately, Jordan realized that “Sinners” was the film that needed to happen in that moment, prompting him to agree to put his own concept on hold. “There was the feeling of ‘this has to happen now,’” he said.