The National Television Awards (NTAs) have reached a historic milestone, selecting an all-female shortlist for the best drama performance category for the first time. The five nominees competing for the honor include Sheridan Smith for her role as Ann Ming in the ITV true crime drama I Fought The Law, and Ruth Jones, recognized for her performance in the Netflix thriller Run Away. Joining them are Vicky McClure, nominated for her portrayal of Lana Washington in Trigger Point, Ella Bruccoleri for the period drama The Other Bennet Sister, and Judy Parfitt, who is shortlisted for her long-running role as Sister Monica Joan in Call The Midwife.
These finalists were determined through a public vote from an initial longlist that featured prominent actors such as David Tennant, Gary Oldman, Idris Elba, James Norton, and Tom Hiddleston. A second round of voting is now underway, allowing the public to decide the winners across the 15 categories. This voting period remains open until midday on September 8, which is the date of the ceremony.
Elsewhere in the nominations, Stacey Solomon has secured three nods, including a place in the best TV presenter category. She faces stiff competition from the duo Ant and Dec, as well as Sir David Attenborough—who is celebrating his 100th birthday year—alongside the team behind Traitors and chat show hosts Claudia Winkleman and Alison Hammond. Last year, the presenter award was claimed by then-outgoing Match of the Day host Gary Lineker, which ended Ant and Dec’s notable 23-year winning streak.
Solomon and her partner, Joe Swash, are also competing in the inaugural celebrity-led reality docuseries category. They are up against several high-profile names, including boxer Tyson Fury, Jeremy Clarkson, Kelvin Fletcher, and the comedic fishing duo Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse.
In the comedy category, Mrs Brown’s Boys has received a nomination, though the production recently confirmed the cancellation of its upcoming festive specials. This decision follows a broken jaw sustained by the show’s creator and star, Brendan O’Carroll.
Other notable nominations include the Canadian romance series Heated Rivalry, which is eligible for best new drama due to its co-production with Sky UK. Additionally, the final series of Strictly Come Dancing, featuring Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, has been shortlisted for best talent show.
The NTAs, which celebrate the best of British television from the past year, were first established in 1995. The upcoming ceremony will be hosted once again by comedian Joel Dommett.
The event is scheduled to take place at London’s O2 arena and will be broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX, beginning at 20:00 BST.
The full list of nominees also includes various projects such as I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, Caroline Flack: Search for the Truth, Sharon & Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home, Sir Chris Hoy: Cancer, Courage and Me, Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, and The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer. Other acting nominees include Aaron Thiara, Gareth Pierce, Jeff Hordley, Paul Bradley, and Sue Devaney. The report also notes that the NTAs, which recognise the best in British TV over the past twelve months, first launched in 1995 and the winners will be voted for by the public between now and midday on 8 September – the day of the ceremony. The report also notes that the Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award.
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