Bafta TV Awards 2022: It’s a Sin fans ‘infuriated’ as acclaimed Aids drama goes home empty handed

It’s a Sin fans were left “infuriated” after the critically acclaimed Aids drama went home empty handed from the 2022 TV Baftas, despite having the most nominations.

The Channel 4 drama, starring Olly Alexander of Years & Years, which told the story of the HIV epidemic among London’s gay community in the 1980s, was in the running for seven awards.

These included Best Miniseries, Leading Actor (Olly Alexander), Leading Actress (Lydia West), Supporting actor (Callum Scott Howells, David Carlyle, Omari Douglas) and Must-See Moment (Colin’s devastating AIDS diagnosis).

Fans of the show were shocked that it didn’t win any prizes – although the series did take home two trophies at the Bafta Craft Awards on April 24, for Best Editor and Director.

TV journalist Scott Bryan took to Twitter saying:  “It’s a Sin won two awards at the BAFTA Craft Awards this year - for Best Editor and Director.

“Yet it is ASTOUNDING that they won nothing at the BAFTA TV Awards tonight.

“I am speechless.

“One of the most necessary, powerful, life-affirming dramas in recent years, shining a light on LGBTQ+ history and receiving viewer and critical acclaim.

“And yet no awards tonight.

“It’s A Sin will be a drama that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

“Know I’m far from the only one.”

Writer-director James Moran tweeted: “Congrats to all the Bafta winners.

“Gutted for It’s a Sin, thought it was going to clean up, but nothing.

“Such is the way of voted awards, though, sometimes this happens.

“What a shame.

“There hasn’t been a *day* since that I haven’t thought about that show.

“Life changing.”

Another fan Naomi Cera Stevie wrote: “It’s a Sin is one of the most necessary, powerful, life-affirming dramas in years, shining that important light on LGBTQIA+ history!

“Which has been much needed for years!

“I’m so disappointed in the Baftas.”

However the show’s creator Russell T Davies handled the news very gracefully posting a photo of the cast at the TV Baftas ceremony on Instagram saying: "Look at these winners. We had a very happy night. Great shows won and great shows didn’t, and UK TV is wonderful. Long live #ItsASin."

The biggest winners at the ceremony, presented by Richard Ayoade, were prison series Time, carer drama Help and presenter Big Zuu.

Full list of 2022 TV Bafta winners

• Entertainment Award: Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway
• Leading Female Performance: Jodie Comer
• Leading Male Performance: Sean Bean
• Supporting Actress: Kathy Tyson
• Supporting Actor: Matthew MacFadyen
• Reality and Constructed Factual: Gogglebox
• Female performance in comedy programme: Sophie Willan
• Male performance in a comedy programme: Jamie Demetriou
• News Coverage: ITV News at 10, Storming of The Capitol
• Specialist Factual: The Missing Children
• Daytime: The Chase
• Sports programme: The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
• Single Documentary: My Child My Country
• Current Affairs: Fearless: The Women fighting Putin
• Single Drama: Together
• Short-form programme: Our Land
• Live Event: The Earthshot Prize 2021
• Features: Big Zuu’s Big Eats
• Scripted Comedy: Motherland
• Mini-Series: Time
• Factual Series: Uprising
• Continuing Drama or Soap: Coronation Street
• Entertainment Performance: Big Zuu
• Must See moment: Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice’s silent dance
• Comedy entertainment programme: The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan
• Drama Series: In My Skin