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TV Baftas snubs and surprises 2020: The biggest shocks on this year's nominations list

Des Willie/Netflix
Des Willie/Netflix

The Bafta Television Award nominations usually throw out some curveball choices - and this year is no exception.

The 2020 nominations were revealed on Thursday morning, ahead of this year's delayed ceremony which will take place behind closed doors next month.

Sky and HBO's critically-acclaimed Chernobyl is leading the way with a total of 14 nods (see the full list of nominees here), but sadly, there isn't room on the shortlists for absolutely everyone and a number of fan favourites have missed out.

Here are the most shocking snubs and surprises on this year's shortlist...

Snub: Olivia Colman

(Des Willie/Netflix)
(Des Willie/Netflix)

Perhaps this year’s biggest snub is the apparent dethroning of the Queen.

That is, the monarch of British television and film, Oscar-winner Olivia Colman, who plays Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix drama The Crown.

While her co-star Helena Bonham Carter has received a nod in the Best Supporting category, Colman is arguably the most high-profile name to miss out on a spot on the Leading Actress shortlist.

Snub: Killing Eve

While Fleabag appears to be unstoppable, with six nominations, it was a different story for another project of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s - Killing Eve.

The show, starring Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh, was toast of the TV Baftas in 2019, with a record-breaking 14 nominations.

This year, the show has just four nods, with Comer perhaps its biggest hope in the best actress category.

Snub: Line of Duty

(BBC )
(BBC )

Elsewhere, crime drama fans will no doubt be disappointed with Line of Duty’s general absence from the list.

The gritty cop drama starring Vicky McClure, Adrian Dunbar and Martin Compston is only up for the Must See Moment category, for the sudden shocking death of an undercover officer (we won't reveal who, just in case you haven't watched it yet...). The category is the only one decided by viewers.

Snub: EastEnders

EastEnders aired a special week of annivesary episodes last year - which will count towards a possible 2021 nomination (BBC/Kieron McCarron/Matt Burlem/Amy Sharp)
EastEnders aired a special week of annivesary episodes last year - which will count towards a possible 2021 nomination (BBC/Kieron McCarron/Matt Burlem/Amy Sharp)

There is plenty of drama in the Soap category, with EastEnders missing out leaving rival show Coronation Street to battle with Emmerdale and hospital series’ Casualty and Holy City.

Snub: Britain's Got Talent

The Entertainment Programme category provides our final snub as the BBC's The Greatest Dancer - which has now been axed - pipped long-time ITV favourite BGT.

Surprise: Glenda Jackson

(BBC/STV Productions)
(BBC/STV Productions)

Pipping Queen Colman to spots on the Leading Actress are two legendary stars - who took parts in decidedly less blockbuster shows.

First up is Glenda Jackson’s nomination for her brilliant portrayal of a woman with dementia in Elizabeth is Missing, a one-episode offering from the BBC.

Surprise: Samantha Morton

(JOSS BARRATT / Channel 4)
(JOSS BARRATT / Channel 4)

Second up is Samantha Morton for her role of a single mother battling financial problems in the critically acclaimed, but lesser-known, drama I Am Kirsty.

Surprise: Sian Clifford

(BBC)
(BBC)

It was a good day for Fleabag’s Sian Clifford - who was nominated alongside the cult comedy’s writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge for best female performance in a comedy programme - a bigger accolade than best supporting actress which many believed she’d be nominated for.

The nod comes following Clifford's star turn as Diana Ingram in ITV's Quiz - a role which surely lead to more nominations next year.

Surprise: Love Island

Michael and new girl Joanna chat (ITV)
Michael and new girl Joanna chat (ITV)

And finally, Love Island providing one of the Must See Moments of the year will no doubt be met with trepidation by some TV Baftas purists. But trust us, the 2019 series made for dramatic viewing and deserves its place on the list.

The TV Baftas will air live on BBC One on Friday July 31.

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