The 2026 National Television Awards saw Emmerdale take home two major prizes, while viewers were distracted by Hollywood icon Teri Hatcher presenting the Best Serial Drama award.
Held at London’s O2 Arena on Tuesday (September 8), the ceremony proved a successful night for the ITV soap, which was the only soap to win any awards. Emmerdale overcame competition from EastEnders, Coronation Street, Hollyoaks and Casualty.
Jeff Hordley Wins Best Serial Performance
Emmerdale’s first winner of the night was Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain Dingle. He was crowned Best Serial Performance following a year in which his character was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Also nominated in the category were EastEnders stars Aaron Thiara (Ravi Gulati) and Paul Bradley, whose character Nigel Bates died earlier in the year after a battle with dementia. Coronation Street’s Sue Devaney (Debbie Webster) and Gareth Pierce (Todd Grimshaw) were also up for the award.
Collecting his award, Hordley said: “Thank you to everyone who voted for me, it means an awful lot. I was in some really strong company, this really does take my breath away.”
He added: “It’s been an honour and a huge educational journey for me with this prostate cancer storyline. I’d like to thank Emmerdale for writing this really sensitively and highlighting all the side effects, problems and difficulties that men and families all around the country face.”
Emmerdale Wins Best Serial Drama
The final award of the night was Best Serial Drama, which was won by EastEnders last year. With The British Soap Awards cancelled this year, the award felt more important than ever.
Viewers voted Emmerdale as the winner over Coronation Street, EastEnders, Casualty and Hollyoaks. Speaking on behalf of the soap was Katie Hill, who plays Katie Sugden.
“God there’s so many of us. Thank you so much to everyone who voted. Thank you to all our viewers who continue to watch and support our show. We wouldn’t have one if it weren’t for you guys,” she said.
She continued: “I want to give a massive shoutout to our amazing team at Emmerdale. The crew, production team, the writers, the cast and of course our wonderful producers Ian, Sophie and Laura.”
Viewers React to Teri Hatcher
Despite the excitement over Emmerdale’s win, many viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express their shock at Teri Hatcher presenting the award.
One user wrote: “Susan Mayer and Cain Dingle. A tv crossover I never had on my bingo card ever. #NTAs #DesperateHousewives #Emmerdale.” Another posted: “IT’S TERRI HATCHER!! #NTAs.”
Teri is best known for her portrayal of Lois Lane on the series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. She famously played Paris Carver in the Pierce Brosnan James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies.
Additionally, Teri played Susan Mayer on the dark comedy Desperate Housewives, for which she won a Golden Globe Award. She is set to make her West End debut in the coming weeks in The Devil Wears Prada.
