National Television Awards 2026 Nominations Unveiled: Historic All-Female Shortlists, Explosive New Categories, and the Battle to Dethrone Ant and Dec

The glittering lights of the British television industry are preparing to shine brighter than ever as the nominations for the 2026 National Television Awards have officially been unveiled. Marking its thirty-first spectacular year, the ceremony promises to be an unforgettable evening of fierce rivalries, emotional tributes, and groundbreaking milestones. Scheduled to take place on the eighth of September at the iconic O2 Arena in London, the event will once again be guided by the charismatic comedian Joel Dommett, who returns for his sixth consecutive stint as the master of ceremonies. Broadcast live across the nation on ITV1 and ITVX, the NTAs remain the ultimate barometer of public opinion, where the viewers hold the absolute power to crown their screen idols. This year, the shortlists have generated unprecedented levels of excitement and fierce debate, setting the stage for what could be the most unpredictable awards night in recent memory.

Perhaps the most fiercely contested battleground of the evening lies within the prestigious TV Presenter category. For an astonishing twenty-three consecutive years, the beloved Geordie duo Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly held an iron grip on this award, transforming it into an institution of their own. However, the television landscape experienced a seismic shock at the 2025 ceremony when former Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker finally broke their historic winning streak. Now, as the 2026 nominations are revealed, Ant and Dec find themselves in the unfamiliar position of fighting to reclaim their lost crown. The challenge ahead of them is monumentally difficult, as they face off against some of the most formidable and cherished personalities in British broadcasting.

Among the formidable challengers is the legendary broadcaster and national treasure, Sir David Attenborough, whose majestic natural history documentaries continue to captivate multi-generational audiences with their urgent environmental messages and unparalleled visual beauty. Joining the fray is the phenomenally popular Alison Hammond, whose infectious laughter and unparalleled ability to disarm Hollywood A-listers have made her the undisputed jewel in the crown of This Morning. Stacey Solomon, who has built a remarkably relatable and highly successful domestic empire through her hit programme Sort Your Life Out, also secures a well-deserved nomination. Completing this powerhouse lineup is Claudia Winkleman, the undisputed queen of suspense, whose masterful, delightfully dark hosting of the psychological reality phenomenon The Traitors has cemented her status as a titan of modern entertainment.

While the presenter category offers intense rivalry, the Drama Performance category has completely rewritten the rulebook, delivering a historic moment for the National Television Awards. For the very first time in the thirty-one-year history of the ceremony, the shortlist is entirely composed of female actors, serving as a powerful testament to the incredible depth and brilliance of women leading British television drama. The legendary Ruth Jones secures a highly anticipated nomination for her iconic, scene-stealing return as Nessa in the beloved comedy-drama Gavin And Stacey, a role that continues to resonate deeply with the British public. She is joined by an extraordinary class of dramatic heavyweights. The immensely talented Sheridan Smith, known for her ability to portray raw, vulnerable, and fiercely complex characters, is rightfully recognised for her recent gripping performances.

Vicky McClure, the undisputed queen of the tense police procedural, brings her signature gritty realism to the shortlist, continuing a hot streak of critically acclaimed roles that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The category is beautifully rounded out by Ella Bruccoleri and the esteemed Judy Parfitt, both of whom have provided phenomenal, emotionally resonant performances that have anchored some of the nation’s most treasured period dramas. This all-female shortlist is not merely a statistical anomaly; it is a profound celebration of the nuanced, powerful storytelling currently being driven by women across all major networks.

In response to the rapidly evolving landscape of audience consumption, the 2026 National Television Awards have introduced a brand new category: Reality Docuseries. This addition perfectly captures the national obsession with fly-on-the-wall programming that strips away the polished veneer of celebrity to reveal the chaotic, relatable, and often hilarious realities of domestic and rural life. The inaugural shortlist for this prize is a clash of massive personalities. Heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury and his bustling, unpredictable family are nominated for the deeply entertaining At Home With The Furys, a series that showcased a surprisingly vulnerable side to the formidable athlete.

They face stiff competition from the agricultural triumphs and catastrophic failures of Jeremy Clarkson, whose smash-hit series Clarkson’s Farm has single-handedly revolutionised the public’s understanding of the modern British farming industry. Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash are also in the running with Stacey & Joe, a charming exploration of their hectic blended family life that resonates powerfully with busy parents nationwide. Adding a touch of rural charm to the category is Fletchers’ Family Farm, following former Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher as he navigates the steep learning curve of running a working farm. Finally, the gentle, beautifully poignant angling adventures of comedy legends Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse in Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing provide a soulful, meditative alternative to the high-energy celebrity docuseries.

The adrenaline-fueled Reality Competition category remains heavily dominated by two colossal franchises that have entirely captured the cultural zeitgeist. The psychological warfare and devastating betrayals of The Traitors continue to hold the nation in a vice-like grip, proving that intelligent, strategy-based reality television is currently enjoying a golden age. The franchise’s immense popularity is further proven by the inclusion of its highly anticipated all-star spin-off, The Celebrity Traitors. Going head-to-head with the Scottish Highlands’ most deceitful castle is the enduring juggernaut of the Australian jungle, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, alongside its own formidable spin-off, I’m A Celebrity… South Africa. Breaking up the dominance of these two franchises is the critically acclaimed Race Across The World, a breathlessly exciting and visually stunning endurance challenge that pushes ordinary citizens to their absolute physical and emotional limits.

Within the realm of scripted television, the New Drama prize highlights the incredible diversity of modern storytelling. The undeniable breakout hit of the year, Heated Rivalry, has secured a highly coveted nomination. Starring Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, this groundbreaking series captivated millions by depicting the intense, complicated romance between two fiercely competitive professional hockey players. Its inclusion speaks volumes about the shifting appetites of audiences who are hungry for fresh, inclusive narratives. The romance series will battle it out against a slate of heavy-hitting prestige dramas, including the sweeping historical epic A Woman Of Substance, the gripping true-crime thriller Believe Me, I Fought The Law, and the delightful period piece The Other Bennet Sister.

The Comedy category brings a mixture of raucous laughter and unexpected poignancy to this year’s proceedings. The brilliant Amandaland, the nostalgic brilliance of Alan Carr’s Changing Ends, the chaotic brilliance of Last One Laughing, and the enduring reliability of Not Going Out all feature heavily on the shortlist. However, the nomination for the long-running sitcom Mrs Brown’s Boys arrives carrying a significantly heavier emotional weight than usual. Just days before the nominations were revealed, it was announced that creator and star Brendan O’Carroll is facing an “unexpected medical issue,” forcing the heartbreaking cancellation of the show’s highly anticipated Christmas and New Year specials. For the millions of fans who consider the foul-mouthed Irish matriarch a staple of their festive season, this nomination serves as a vital show of support and solidarity during a difficult time for the comedic legend.

As is tradition, the Authored Documentary category promises to be the most emotionally devastating segment of the awards ceremony. These films require immense bravery from their subjects, stripping away privacy to shine a necessary light on profound personal struggles, grief, and resilience. This year, the shortlist includes deeply moving posthumous appearances that are certain to evoke tears across the arena. Caroline Flack: Search For The Truth offers a heartbreaking, necessary examination of the late presenter’s life and the intense pressures of modern fame, while Sharon & Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home provides a poignant look at the twilight years of the heavy metal icon.

The category also honours the staggering bravery of Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy, whose film Cancer, Courage And Me documents his harrowing yet intensely inspiring battle with severe illness. Jesy Nelson’s ongoing, highly publicised journey of self-discovery and mental health advocacy is recognised in Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix. Finally, the tragic and profound Our Girls: The Southport Families stands as a devastating testament to unimaginable grief and the unbreakable strength of a shattered community. Whoever takes home this award, the true victory lies in the vital national conversations these documentaries have sparked.

No celebration of British television would be complete without paying homage to the relentless, year-round dedication of Serial Drama. The traditional soap war continues to rage fiercely, with the titans of the genre—Casualty, Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale, and Hollyoaks—all battling for the ultimate prize of continuing drama supremacy. The individual performances within these institutions are also highly celebrated, with EastEnders’ Aaron Thiara, Emmerdale’s Jeff Hordley, and Coronation Street’s Gareth Pierce among those nominated for the Serial Drama Performance award, highlighting the intense, gripping storylines that keep millions tuning in week after week, month after month.

Finally, The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award continues to celebrate the shows that bring families together on a Saturday night. The spectacular, high-octane revival of Gladiators has proven that nineties nostalgia, when executed with modern production values, is an unstoppable force. It faces formidable competition from the brilliantly bizarre guessing game of The Masked Singer, the unparalleled A-list banter of The Graham Norton Show, the chaotic audience participation of Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, and the razor-sharp comedic deception of Would I Lie To You?.

As the eighth of September rapidly approaches, the power now shifts entirely into the hands of the British viewing public. With voting officially open on the National Television Awards website, audiences have until midday on the day of the ceremony to cast their final verdicts. Whether Ant and Dec can mount a historic comeback, or a reality docuseries about farming can defeat a boxing dynasty, remains to be seen. One thing is absolutely certain: the 2026 National Television Awards will be a spectacular, emotional, and defining night for the television industry.