Bafta makes history as trans woman nominated in leading actress category for the first time
Karla Sofia Gascon has made history as the first transgender actress to be nominated for a leading actress Bafta, for her role in the musical drama Emilia Perez.
The 52-year-old Spanish performer earned the historic nomination for her portrayal of the titular character, a Mexican cartel boss who transitions from a man to a woman.
The nomination follows Gascon’s success at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where she became the first trans woman to win the Best Actress award.
Emilia Perez has secured 11 Bafta nominations, including Best Film and Best Director.
The film follows the story of a former Mexican cartel boss who fakes their own death to undergo gender-affirming surgery.
The musical crime comedy, directed by Jacques Audiard, has emerged as one of the leading contenders at this year’s Baftas.
Only Conclave, a Catholic thriller starring Ralph Fiennes about the election of a new Pope, has received more nominations with 12.
Gascon’s co-stars Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez also feature prominently in Emilia Perez, with both receiving nominations in the Supporting Actress category.
The film previously won Best Picture at the Golden Globes, where Gascon delivered an acceptance speech on behalf of the cast and crew.
Gascon faces strong competition in the leading actress category from Cynthia Erivo for Wicked, Demi Moore for The Substance, Saoirse Ronan for The Outrun, Mikey Madison for Anora, and Marianne Jean-Baptiste for Hard Truths.
Thank you #EEBAFTAs for honoring Emilia Pérez with 11 nominations, including Best Film, Film Not in the English Language, Director – Jacques Audiard, Screenplay – Jacques Audiard, Lead Actress – Karla Sofía Gascón, and Best Supporting Actress – Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez. pic.twitter.com/g4UKAO6PX3
— Emilia Pérez Film (@EmiliaPerezFilm) January 15, 2025
In the supporting actress category, Saldana and Gomez will compete against Ariana Grande for Wicked, Isabella Rossellini for Conclave, Felicity Jones for The Brutalist, and Jamie Lee Curtis for The Last Showgirl.
The leading actor category sees Ralph Fiennes nominated for Conclave alongside Adrien Brody for The Brutalist, Timothee Chalamet for A Complete Unknown, Colman Domingo for Sing Sing, Sebastian Stan for The Apprentice, and Hugh Grant for Heretic.
Gascon’s Bafta nomination follows her historic win at Cannes in May 2024, where she shared the Best Actress prize with her co-stars.
Earlier this month, she became the first trans actress nominated for Best Actress at the Golden Globes, though she lost to Demi Moore.
The British Academy has recently moved to accommodate diverse gender identities, introducing the gender-neutral title of “performer” in 2024 for winners who prefer neither “actor” nor “actress” on their award.
Bafta bosses are continuing discussions about potentially removing gender-specific categories entirely in favour of gender-neutral ones, though no decision has been confirmed.
Gascon is expected to receive an Oscar nomination when the shortlist is announced next week.
Born in Alcobendas in 1972, Gascon decided to pursue acting at age 16 after play-acting with her brother in childhood.
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She worked on BBC Spanish-language learning programmes in London and voiced puppets for children’s shows in Milan before appearing in Spanish television series.
In 2009, Gascon moved to Mexico, taking on various telenovela roles including the character Branko in Corazón salvaje.
She publicly announced her transition in 2018 with the publication of her autobiography, Karsia: an Extraordinary Story.
Gascon, who considers herself “Mexican by adoption,” lives in Alcobendas with her wife Marisa Gutiérrez, whom she met at age 19, and their daughter born in 2011.