ITV's Fred West drama leads Bafta nominations

ITV’s Fred West dramatisation has picked up the most nominations for this year’s television Baftas, with its star Dominic West going head to head with Sherlock’s Benedict Cumberbatch to be crowned leading actor.

Appropriate Adult picked up four nods in total including best mini series while Emily Watson named in the running for leading actress. She faces competition from Romola Garai, who was in The Crimson Petal and the White.

Vicky McClure is nominated for her portrayal of Lol in This is England ’88, the role that won her a Bafta last year for This is England ‘86. Martin Freeman, who also won a Bafta last year, is once again nominated as a supporting actor for his portrayal of Dr Watson in Sherlock. He faces Andrew Scott for the prize, who played his nemesis Jim Moriarty in the modern day adaptation of the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle characters.

The best supporting actress nominations include five time Bafta winner Maggie Smith, for her sharp-tongued performance as the Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey.

The awards will take place at the Royal Festival Hall on London’s South Bank on May 27. Appropriate Adult has been nominated for best mini-series alongside The Crimson Petal and the White, This is England ’88 and gritty urban drama Top Boy.