The Ballad of Wallis Island is hitting every tongue – and getting A-listers asking for selfies
Tom Baisden reflects on the red carpet after finding out about his BAFTA nomination. He might bump into stars, particularly “your Chalamets, your DiCaprios,” while walking.
His film, The Ballad of Wallis Island, a quirky, satirical comedy about fame and loss, co-starring and co-written with Tim Key, was one of the UK’s sleeper hits of 2025—and was described by rom-com king Richard Curtis as one of the greatest British films of all time.
but set on an imaginary Island off the Pembrokeshire coast, Wales It’s a world away from the big-budget, A-list-filled productions this year that are competing against BAFTA, which includes One Battle After, Marty Supreme and Sinners. Baisden and his co-producers will likely work side by side with him. Leonardo Dicaprio And timothy chalamet Also included are fellow nominees Michael B. Jordan, Kate Hudson, Emma Stone and Benicio del Toro.
“Honestly, we feel like outsiders to some extent because we made this film on our terms with a very low budget,” Baisden told Sky News. “So walking next to your Chalamets and your DiCaprios is obviously [going to be] completely original.
“Yes, we’ll embrace the challenge, but perhaps we’ll start requesting selfies.”
Previously a writer and actor, Basden was known for co-creating and starring in the sitcoms Plebs and Here We Go. Key has written several books and appeared in films and series, including Peep Show, Taskmaster and Greed, but he is probably best recognised as Alan Partridge’s sidekick Simon.
In The Ballad of Wallis Island,
Baisden plays Herb, a folk singer who once found fleeting fame with his former musical partner (and girlfriend), Nell, played by Carey Mulligan. Key is Charles, an eccentric two-time lottery winner and mega fan who hires the pair to play in what becomes a reunion show for the audience.
The stars of The Ballad of Wallis Island support themselves
Overtly British, very funny and poignant in a way that avoids cliché, it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in the US in January last year and won three awards at the British Independent Film Awards in November – Best Joint Lead Performance, Best Screenplay and Best Original Music for Key and Baisden.
Now, it’s up to three BAFTAs – Outstanding British Film, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress for Mulligan.
Baisden expresses that the response has exceeded their expectations. “We’ve kind of seen it grow and get word of mouth about it as it’s grown. And now to be here with three BAFTA nominations a year after it premiered… is mind-blowing.”
The film is based on his own short film, also BAFTA nominated, made in 2007, called The One and Only Herb McGuire Plays Wallis Island – so this time it is an adaptation rather than an original screenplay.
Tim Key (left) plays two-time lottery winner Charles. Photo: Focus Features, LLC/Alistair Heap
Both were directed by James Griffiths, who, after nearly 20 years, described the story as “the gift that keeps on giving.” “Coming full circle truly feels amazing.”
Bringing Mulligan on board gave the plans the momentum needed to make the film. Already a BAFTA winner, the actress is also a triple Oscar nominee. But perhaps most importantly (or scarily) is that she’s also married to real-life folk star Marcus Mumford.
Basden said, “Having them there not only meant that we would be confident that the movie would be good, but it also meant that people would start taking it seriously and want to get involved, read the script and see if there was some way they could support it.” “I’m very pleased that she’s been nominated; I think it’s very well-deserved.”
Mulligan, along with Akemenji Ndifornien, who plays Nell’s husband, Michael. Photo: Focus Features, LLC/Alistair Heap
He says there was “never any danger” of the music being over-rehearsed, as the film was shot in 18 days. “We were really going hell for leather. Carey and I played together in the makeup truck a few times, and then, we just did it.”
No one, not even Key, had seen them perform together before. The songs were re-recorded in the studio, with the intention of including a more polished version in a later edit, but eventually, they decided they preferred the rawness of the original sequences.
“It felt really true and it really felt like a band finding a connection that they ‘d lost before,” says Basden.
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Both he and Griffith hope that the profile given by BAFTA will help fly the flag for other British films.
“These short stories and low-budget movies are being made here,” says Baisden. “Be proud of the creativity and talent in the UK that doesn’t all go to Hollywood. Look for the stories we are creating.”
“We’ve also got some of the best craftsmen working in the industry here,” says Griffith, particularly highlighting the remote and rugged beach location required for filming.
“It’s really a testament to the effort and energy and enthusiasm of the crew and craftsmen in Britain who are happy to get their hands dirty and clamber up mountains and in difficult tidal stretches of water… It certainly means a lot of tractor rides up and down and up to the coast. And poor Tom clearly spent a lot of time getting wet in the cold water.”
The stars spent a lot of time drying off after filming. Photo: Focus Features, LLC/Alistair Heap
We anticipate a drier and warmer experience at this weekend’s Bafta ceremony.
Griffiths says, “I’m just looking forward to hugging everyone who helped make the film and saying a big thank you to everyone who helped get us to this point.” “You know, the red carpet is like a beautiful finish, right? But the hard work that went into it and recognising all of them, that’s the most important thing.”
and who knows. If they bump into Leo and Timothy, they’ll probably be the ones asking for selfies
