Anthony Hopkins beat Chadwick Boseman to win best actor, but skipped the BAFTAs to paint instead

• Sir Anthony Hopkins won best actor at last night's BAFTAs for "The Father."
• However, Hopkins didn't turn up for the virtual ceremony, and was painting instead.
• Frances McDormand, who won best actress for best picture winner "Nomadland," was also a no-show.

Sir Anthony Hopkins won best actor at last night's BAFTAs for "The Father," his first major award in an awards season largely dominated by Chadwick Boseman.

However, Hopkins decided to skip the virtual BAFTA ceremony altogether, despite being the winner of one of the night's biggest categories.

Instead of Zooming in to accept the award, his third BAFTA film win, the acting legend decided to spend his time painting instead.

"I was so astounded. I was sitting here painting, in fact. This room in my hotel. I'm covered in paint," Hopkins said in a post-ceremony press conference.

"I heard a cheer from next door. I thought, 'What the hell is happening?' I thought they were watching a football match. Then I got a message from Florian."

Florian Zeller, the director of "The Father," accepted the award on Hopkins' behalf. Zeller himself won a BAFTA last night, too, sharing the award for best adapted screenplay with Christopher Hampton.

Hopkins, who won an Oscar in 1991 for "The Silence of the Lambs," wasn't the only no-show, at the 2021 BAFTAs. "Nomadland" star Frances McDormand, who won best actress, also missed the ceremony.

"Nomadland" had a good night in general, winning best cinematography, best director for Chloé Zhao, and best picture on top of McDormand's actress award. McDormand is also one of the winning producers on the movie, so her no-show is even more peculiar. Her director, Zhao, accepted the award on her behalf.

Hopkins' win goes against the grain this awards season, in which Boseman has picked up Golden Globe, SAG, and Critics Choice Award wins among many others for his performance in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." However, the win is not a complete surprise given BAFTA's track record of awarding their own fellow Brits.

Hopkins' win will likely not have an effect on the outcome of the Oscars race, which will come to an end on April 25 with an anticipated Boseman win. Expect "Nomadland" to repeat with similar victories, however.