BBC
LOS ANGELES
Actresses Emma Watson and Dame Judi Dench were among the stars honoured at the Britannia Awards, hosted by Bafta in Los Angeles.
Skyfall star Dame Judi said she was ‘overwhelmed’ and ‘very proud’ to be awarded the worldwide contribution award, named in honour of James Bond producer Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli. Former Harry Potter star Watson was named British artist of the year.
Robert Downey Jr was handed the Stanley Kubrick Award for excellence in film. Other winners included director Mike Leigh, who won the directing award, and Veep actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who was honoured for her excellence in comedy. Dame Judi was presented with her award by Dustin Hoffman.
‘I’m rather overwhelmed by the award, because I didn’t ever expect to have a film career at all,’ said the actress, who played M in the most recent James Bond films. She continued: ‘I never knew Cubby Broccoli, although I know, of course, his daughter Barbara Broccoli and Bond producer Michael Wilson very well.
‘And I’ve had 17 years of doing Bond, which has been just wonderful. So, I’m very, very proud that I shall have something that is named after Cubby.’ The 79-year-old actress has starred in a string of box office hits in recent years, including Philomena and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which has a sequel due in February.
‘People like to say, ‘When are you retiring?’ Or ‘When are you going to slow down?’‘ she revealed on the red carpet. ‘That’s all very rude in my family. We don’t say any of that. I think if I stop, it’ll be like a car - I shall run out of petrol and fall over. So, I plan not to do that, if possible.’ Watson, who was presented with her award by British actor Ben Barnes, paid tribute to Dame Judi. ‘She’s just all soul and all grace and strength and beauty, and for me, she’s an iconic British actor. She’s what you aspire to be,’ Watson said.
Iron Man and The Judge actor Downey Jr said his prize, named after The Shining director Kubrick, meant ‘a heck of a lot’. ‘I love British film-makers, and they have such a great talent pool,’ he said. The Normal Heart actor Mark Ruffalo was handed the Britannia humanitarian award at the ceremony, which was hosted by The Trip star Rob Brydon.
It is being broadcast on US TV on BBC America on 2 November.