British actress Kate Beckinsale has steadfastly rejected an apology from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) following their failure to guarantee the inclusion of her late stepfather, Roy Battersby, in the annual ‘In Memoriam’ segment at this year’s film awards.
Roy Battersby, a renowned television director with a prolific career that included iconic shows like Cracker, A Touch of Frost, and Inspector Morse, passed away at the age of 87 on January 10. Despite his significant contributions to the industry, Beckinsale was informed by BAFTA that they could not assure his inclusion in the tribute section.
Expressing her dismay on Instagram, Beckinsale questioned the process, stating, “So a man dead less than a week somehow has to audition in front of a committee after a decades-long career… to decide IF his death is worth mentioning.” She poured her heart out, emphasizing the impact of Battersby’s work, life, and mentoring on her, pledging to honor him every day.
In response to BAFTA’s subsequent statement claiming Battersby would be included, Beckinsale expressed her dissatisfaction, highlighting that she had not received a personal or public apology. Instead, BAFTA had requested her publicist to relay the apology.
Drawing attention to the broader issue, Beckinsale underscored the prevalence of similarly cold emails sent to families of deceased individuals in the British film industry. She called for a substantial change in BAFTA’s policy regarding communication with bereaved families, urging the organization to adopt a more compassionate and celebratory tone in their messages.
Battersby, honored with BAFTA’s Alan Clarke Award in 1996 for his outstanding contributions to television, was remembered by Beckinsale as someone who valued every individual on his set, irrespective of their role. She emphasized that BAFTA should ensure such dismissive communication is avoided in the future, demanding a public and permanent commitment to a more compassionate approach, regardless of a person’s inclusion in the memorial segment.
As the BAFTA nominations were unveiled, including Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer leading with 13 nods, Beckinsale’s stance has sparked a broader conversation about the industry’s treatment of its workers, highlighting the need for empathy and respect in honoring their legacies.