The National Television Awards 2026 has officially announced its nominations shortlist, featuring a historic first for the popular ceremony with an entirely female line-up in the drama performance category. Viewers can now vote online ahead of the live ceremony on Tuesday 8 September 2026, broadcast on ITV and ITVX.
The Bottom Line
- The Milestone: The drama performance category features an all-female shortlist for the first time in the history of the National Television Awards.
- The Contenders: Nominees include Sheridan Smith, Vicky McClure, Ella Bruccoleri, Judy Parfitt, and Ruth Jones.
- The Ceremony: Winners will be decided by public vote and announced during the live broadcast on ITV and ITVX on Tuesday 8 September 2026.
Breaking Down the Groundbreaking Drama Shortlist
Sheridan Smith earns a nod for her work in the ITV drama I Fought the Law, where she portrays Ann Ming. She goes head-to-head with Vicky McClure, recognized for her role as Lana Washington in the thriller Trigger Point.
Rounding out the historic category are Ella Bruccoleri for her performance as Mary Bennet in The Other Bennet Sister, Judy Parfitt as Sister Monica Joan in Call the Midwife, and Ruth Jones, who picked up a nomination for her turn as Elena Ravenscroft in the Harlan Coben thriller Run Away.
Broadening the Battlegrounds Across Categories
Beyond the drama acting milestone, the 2026 nominations offer a snapshot of audience habits across reality TV, daytime programming, and factual entertainment. In the reality competition category, ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! finds itself competing against its own spin-off, I’m A Celebrity… South Africa. Also in that field is the BBC The Celebrity Traitors, which is nominated alongside its own civilian counterpart and Race Across the World.
Meanwhile, the race for best TV presenter sees duo Ant & Dec nominated. They face a mix of household names, going head-to-head with Sir David Attenborough, Alison Hammond, Claudia Winkleman, and Stacey Solomon.
| Category | Key Nominees | Broadcaster / Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Drama Performance | Sheridan Smith, Vicky McClure, Ella Bruccoleri, Judy Parfitt, Ruth Jones | ITV / BBC |
| Reality Competition | I’m A Celebrity, The Celebrity Traitors, Race Across the World | ITV / BBC |
| TV Presenter | Ant & Dec, Sir David Attenborough, Alison Hammond, Claudia Winkleman, Stacey Solomon | Various |
| New Drama | Heated Rivalry, A Woman of Substance, Believe Me, I Fought The Law, The Other Bennet Sister | Various (Including Channel 4, BBC, ITV) |
What the NTA Shortlist Tells Us About Modern Viewing Habits
When series like The Other Bennet Sister and Heated Rivalry sit alongside established powerhouses like Bridgerton and Stranger Things in the wider drama categories, it signals a deeply engaged viewing public.
With voting currently open online for free, the race enters its final stretch ahead of the live September gala.
