Fans enraged by Blue Planet II’s Bafta loss
David Attenborough's documentary series lost out to Basquiat: Rags to Riches

Published:
BBC’s Blue Planet II lost out in the specialist factual award category at the Bafta TV Awards on Sunday night, and fans were not happy about it.
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Many took to Twitter to share their discontentment after another BBC doc, Basquiat: Rags to Riches, beat David Attenborough’s hugely popular nature series to take home the award.
Although Love Island was not nominated in the category in question, plenty of viewers seemed particularly aggrieved by the fact that Love Island won in its category (reality) and Blue Planet – which kick-started the fight against plastic pollution – did not.
“Actually cannot believe we live in a world where Love Island won a Bafta but Blue Planet II that is actively changing the way we exist with our planet didn’t win what it’s nominated for,” user @iambri_97 wrote on Twitter.
Check out some of the best (and angriest) tweets below.
Actually cannot believe we live in a world where Love Island won a BAFTA but Blue Planet II that is actively changing the way we exist with our planet didn’t win what its nominated for #BAFTATV
— b ✨ (@iambri_97) May 13, 2018
So Love Island wins a #BAFTATV but Blue Planet II doesn’t? pic.twitter.com/qf6yW1r4ZN
— Tony Shepherd (@tonysheps) May 13, 2018
I don’t want to live in a world where Love Island can win a BAFTA but Blue Planet II can’t #BAFTATV pic.twitter.com/6MgON3EBgH
— faith ♥ (@faithbxx) May 13, 2018
No award for Blue Planet II? BAFTA, you’re dead to me now. #BAFTATV
— Laura (@cheesy_badgers) May 13, 2018
#BAFTATV how was Blue Planet II, which captured the imaginations of a nation and ignited the war on plastics beaten by Love Island???
— Maia Sherwood-Rogers (@maiasrogers) May 13, 2018
Blue Planet II took years to make, was pioneering and changed people’s thinking to the point where governments started taking notice. Still not worthy of the BAFTA though? Haha unreal! #BAFTATV
— Paul B. (@peab23) May 13, 2018
Blue Planet II only inspired change across the globe, brought to the forefront some of the biggest issues hitting our oceans and showed us some of the most breathtaking cinematography. But no, don’t bother giving them an award. #BAFTA
— Chanandler Bong (@HolisticHans) May 13, 2018
Really BAFTA? I mean really? Not 'Blue Planet II', a programme that actually changed the world? Jeez what a bunch of idiots. #BAFTATV
— radioactiveman (@LastBrigantian) May 13, 2018
When Blue Planet II doesn’t win?! #BAFTATV pic.twitter.com/mDJZWASazV
— Laura Alice (@laura_alice24) May 13, 2018
still wrapping my head around the fact Love Island won a BAFTA and Blue Planet II didn’t. Society has gone west.
— Toby The Creator. (@SmartTobias) May 14, 2018
Personally offended that Blue Planet II, a programme that was literally trying to change the world, didn’t win the BAFTA and Love Island did ????
— Chlo (@chl0evans) May 13, 2018
Attenborough had the last laugh, however, as his show took home the award for best TV moment for the heartbreaking scene in which a grieving mother whale refused to let go of her dead calf, beating out heavyweights such as Doctor Who, Game of Thrones, Line of Duty and Love Island itself.
The 92-year-old was greeted with rapturous applause as he took to the stage to accept the prize.
“We set out to show the seas, the oceans for what they are – their beauty, their splendour, their intricacy – but also the truth about what we’re doing to them,” he said. Well deserved.