BAFTA Stars To Endorse Time's Up Black Dress Code

debra messing golden globes
(Image credit: Rex)

Bafta attendees at this year's award ceremony are expected to wear black on the red carpet in solidarity with the Time's Up movement.

According to the BBC, a letter has been circulated around the British film and TV industry and urges those attending the Baftas to "wear black to the awards ceremony, to follow suit from our sisters who attended the Golden Globes".

The letter is understood to have reached a list including; Emma Thompson, Daisy Ridley, Emma Watson, Gemma Arterton, Keira Knightley, Jodie Whittaker, Emilia Clarke, Noma Dumezweni, Natalie Dormer and Felicity Jones.

"With BAFTAs being the first major film awards ceremony in Europe this year, we feel it is important to make a statement to show global solidarity and that the issue is not being forgotten, and to join hands with people across all industries who have experienced inequality and abuse," the letter reads, explaining that other "exciting plans" are yet-to-be-announced.

"Here in the UK, more than half of all women and nearly two-thirds of women aged 18 to 24 have experienced sexual harassment at work," it continues. "And we hope that those of us who are privileged enough to have a platform, can use it to raise awareness of the experiences of women beyond our industry, whose experiences are often silenced and marginalised."

Alongside being encouraged to wear black, the letter also invited men attending the Baftas who wish to show their support for the Time's Up movement to wear "special pins and/or a button hole".

Joanna Lumley is the presenter of this year's award ceremony, marking the first time in over a decade that the Baftas have been hosted by a woman.

The event will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on 18 February.