The National Television Awards (NTAs) have unveiled their 2026 nominations, and for the first time, the best drama performance category features an all-female line-up. Sheridan Smith is nominated for her role in the ITV series I Fought The Law, alongside Ella Bruccoleri for The Other Bennet Sister, Judy Parfitt for Call the Midwife, Ruth Jones for Run Away, and Vicky McClure for Trigger Point.
Historic all-female shortlist
This marks a significant shift for the category, which last year saw Gary Lineker win best presenter, ending Ant and Dec's long-running dominance. The upcoming ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday September 8 at London's O2 Arena, is set to be one for the history books.
In the reality competition category, Race Across The World faces tough competition against I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, I'm A Celebrity South Africa, The Traitors, and The Celebrity Traitors.
Double nomination for Attenborough
Sir David Attenborough has received a double nomination, for TV presenter and for his programme Secret Garden. The 100-year-old national treasure could potentially defeat Ant and Dec in the same year he turned 100.
Elsewhere, the breakout hit Heated Rivalry has been nominated in the new drama category. Mrs Brown's Boys has been nominated for best comedy, a day after Brendan O'Carroll announced that the Christmas and New Year's specials will be cancelled this year due to 'immediate surgery'.
Full list of nominees
The full list of nominees includes I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, I'm A Celebrity... South Africa, Race Across the World, The Celebrity Traitors, and The Traitors for Reality Competition. New Drama nominees are A Woman of Substance, Believe Me, Heated Rivalry, I Fought The Law, and The Other Bennet Sister.
Quiz Show nominees include Ant & Dec's Limitless Win, Michael McIntyre's The Wheel, Richard Osman's House of Games, The 1% Club, and The Chase. Authored Documentary nominees are Caroline Flack: Search for the Truth, Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix, Our Girls: The Southport Families, Sharon & Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home, and Sir Chris Hoy: Cancer, Courage and Me.
Returning Drama nominees are Blue Lights, Bridgerton, Call the Midwife, Stranger Things, and Trigger Point. TV Presenter nominees are Alison Hammond, Ant & Dec, Claudia Winkleman, David Attenborough, and Stacey Solomon.
Reality Docuseries nominees include At Home With The Furys, Clarkson's Farm, Fletchers' Family Farm, Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, and Stacey & Joe. Comedy nominees are Amandaland, Changing Ends, Last One Laughing, Mrs Brown's Boys, and Not Going Out.
Drama Performance nominees are Ella Bruccoleri as Mary Bennet in The Other Bennet Sister, Judy Parfitt as Sister Monica Joan in Call the Midwife, Ruth Jones as Elena Ravenscroft in Run Away, Sheridan Smith as Ann Ming in I Fought The Law, and Vicky McClure as Lana Washington in Trigger Point.
The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award nominees are Gladiators, Michael McIntyre's Big Show, The Graham Norton Show, The Masked Singer, and Would I Lie to You?. Serial Drama nominees are Casualty, Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale, and Hollyoaks.
Serial Drama Performance nominees include Aaron Thiara as Ravi Gulati in EastEnders, Gareth Pierce as Todd Grimshaw in Coronation Street, Jeff Hordley as Cain Dingle in Emmerdale, Paul Bradley as Nigel Bates in EastEnders, and Sue Devaney as Debbie Webster in Coronation Street.
Factual Entertainment nominees are 24 Hours in Police Custody, Gogglebox, Secret Garden, Sort Your Life Out, and The Martin Lewis Money Show Live. Daytime nominees are Good Morning Britain, James Martin's Saturday Morning, Loose Women, Scam Interceptors, and This Morning.
Talent Show nominees are Britain's Got Talent, Strictly Come Dancing, The Great British Bake Off, The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer, and The Great Pottery Throw Down.
Ceremony details and voting
The awards ceremony takes place on Tuesday September 8 at London's O2 Arena. Doors open for early concourse access at 6pm, with main doors opening at 7pm. The closest train station is North Greenwich on the Jubilee line. The ceremony is expected to air on ITV at 8pm.
Voting is open from the final shortlist via the official NTA link. Tickets are still available, with general tickets from £28.12 on AXS and from £33.35 on Ticketmaster. Premium options include a £139 red carpet ticket, a £257 premium red carpet option, a £268 star treatment experience, and a £381 premium star treatment ticket. The £1,025 five-star experience is sold out.
