BAFTA 2014: Chiwetel Ejiofor wins best actor for '12 Years a Slave'

Chiwetel Ejiofor (Image credit: Getty Images)

Nigerian born, British Actor Chiwetel Ejiofor has emerged as the winner of best actor award for his role in '12 Years a Slave' — at the 2014 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards, held Sunday at The Royal Opera House in London.

Chiwetel beat the likes of Christian Bale, Bruce Dern, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks in his role as Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery, in “12 Years a Slave”.

Ejiofor, who accepted his award from Uma Thurman, said he was "so deeply honoured and privileged to receive it" and thanked McQueen for his "artistry and passion".

"You really brought us all through it and had the real vision to tell this extraordinary story", he said. "Thank you for this. This is yours by the way, I know that, you know that. I'm going to keep it but it's yours".

12 Years A Slave is a historical drama based on the true story of Solomon Northup, a free man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the US in the 1840s.