Imagine sipping tea and noshing on finger sandwiches while chatting it up with Jodie Foster or saying hello to Patton Oswalt just after you stood by some shrubbery and rang a bell for champagne, only to be surprised by a white glove slipping through the greenery with a full glass in hand.
These were just a few dream scenarios during BAFTA North America’s TV Tea on Saturday, September 15, at The Maybourne Beverly Hills. The terrace was adorned with nods to BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions. Fixtures included the TARDIS from Doctor Who and a BAFTA background that served as a spot for picture-perfect moments throughout the day.
After a four-year hiatus, the star-studded event made a triumphant return to Los Angeles featuring The Maybourne Beverly Hills’ debut of its cleverly named Prêt-à-Portea experience. The afternoon tea concept married fashion and pastries. While mingling, guests nibbled on tasty sandwiches and sweet creations inspired by iconic couture moments.
The BAFTA event brought together top industry professionals, creatives, and A-list talent. Nominees, members, and guests enjoyed a beautiful afternoon and engaged in good conversation, accompanied by gorgeous LA weather and music to set the mood. A decorative bar was situated between the tea station and the champagne station. Specialty drinks included A Walking Dream, Strides & Style, and A Rising Star’s Negroni. The event, which celebrates excellence in television, is one of award season’s most anticipated gatherings. BAFTA’s TV Tea fell the day before the Emmys, welcoming some of Hollywood’s biggest names to the soirée.
Along with Jodie Foster and Patton Oswalt, attendees included Abbott Elementary’s Quinta Brunson, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, and Sheryl Lee Ralph, Fallout’s Walton Goggins and Ella Purnell, Bruno Tonioli, Jessica Gunning, Mark Duplass, Alex Edelman, Keegan-Michael Key, Nava Mau, Richard Gadd, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Nikki Glaser, Shōgun cast members Hiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis, Tadanobu Asano, and Takehiro Hira, Ncuti Gatwa, Jonathan Pryce, Tom Hollander, Bowen Yang, Garcelle Beauvais, Zoe Lister-Jones, Peyton List, Benedict Wong, and J. August Richards.
Other guests in attendance were Aaron Moten, Abe Sylvia, Aja Naomi King, Alex Hedison, Beau Bauman, Bobby Berk, Carrie Coon, Charlie Brooker, Christopher Chung, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Emily Hampshire, Finn Bennett, Frederick E.O. Toye, Gareth Neame, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Hakan Kousetta, Harriet Dyer, Jaylen Barron, Jess Hong, Jess Rosenthal, Jimmy Akingbola, John Bradley, Joivan Wade, Joshua Jackson, Justin Marks, Kali Reis, Karen Pittman, Lara Hallett, Lynn Whitfield, Matt Berry, Mayan Lopez, Meriel Sheibani-Clare, Michael Casey, Mike Cotton, Moeka Hoshi, Nicole Beharie, Noah Hawley, Oona O’beirn, Patrick Brammall, Paul Rennie, Phillipa Soo, Poorna Jagannathan, Rachel Kondo, Rafael Cebrian, Randall Einhorn, Richa Moorjani, Richard Schiff, Salli Richardson Whitfield, Sam Rees-Jones, Saskia Reeves, Saul Metzstein, Sean Teale, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Koenig, Suzanne Mackie, Tom Goodman-Hill, Trace Lysette, Tyler James Williams, Weronika Tofilska, as well as Joyce Pierpoline, Courtney LaBarge Bell, Jonathan Katz, Josephine Coyle, Sally Habbershaw, Tracy Ifeachor, Alexa Jago, Tara Grace, Wayne Watkins from BAFTA.
BAFTA North America recently announced its inaugural New York Tea Party, which will take place on Sunday, October 6, at the Pierre in conjunction with the New York Film Festival, as the organization, one of the world’s leading independent arts charities, expands its presence in North America. The new event highlights emerging talent while celebrating groundbreaking film and television.
The BAFTA TV Tea Party was made possible by the generous support of its sponsors and presenters. BBC Studios, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic, FIJI Water, and BritBox, along with The Maybourne Beverly Hills.
