Kate Beckinsale is slamming the British Academy of Film and Television Arts for its “cold” approach to an “in memoriam” segment at an upcoming awards ceremony.
In an Instagram post Wednesday, the actor called out the British media association for how it handled an inquiry about stepfather Roy Battersby being included in its 2024 tributes. Battersby died last week at the age of 87.
“Today BAFTA told me they ‘could not guarantee’ he would be included in their ‘in memoriam’ tribute , to honour the industry members we have lost,” Beckinsale wrote alongside a photo of Battersby holding the academy’s Alan Clarke Award, which he received in 1996 for his outstanding contribution to television.
“So a man dead less than a week somehow has to audition in front of a committee after a decades long career (in which he has been awarded from said organisation the highest accolade they have ) to decide IF his death is worth mentioning . If his work, his life ,his craft ,his mentoring , his heart and soul are worthy of a mention that he is gone.”
She added, “That ... has broken my heart all over again,” explaining that she felt “paralysed” and “sickened.”
“I will honour him and his work every day of my life,” she said.
Beckinsale also said that her mother, actor Judy Loe, “has been gracefully and quietly dealing with stage four cancer for the last six years and just lost her husband so thanks again , BAFTA for your horribly cold email.”
In a statement following Beckinsale’s post, BAFTA clarified its stance on the tribute spot for Battersby, who directed episodes of TV series such as “Cracker,” “Between the Lines,” “Inspector Morse” and “A Touch of Frost.”
It assured people that Battersby would be remembered by the association, saying, “We were very sorry to hear of Roy Battersby’s recent passing - he was a renowned and trailblazing director.”
It went on, “We confirm he will be honoured in our forthcoming BAFTA Television Awards in May, and on the In Memoriam Section on our website.”
The association’s prestigious British Academy Film Awards, commonly referred to as the BAFTAs, are scheduled for Feb. 18. The U.K. TV industry is celebrated in a separate ceremony in the spring.
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