Published: 23:57 BST, 17 August 2026 | Updated: 23:58 BST, 17 August 2026
The National Television Awards has unveiled the first ever all-female shortlist for drama performance for the 31st annual ceremony.
The awards is celebrating girl power after male titans of the acting world including Cillian Murphy, David Tennant and Matt Smith have lifted the gong in the past.
This year’s contenders are Gavin & Stacey’s Ruth Jones, who has been nominated for her turn in gritty Netflix thriller Run Away.
Sheridan Smith could take the award for the second time thanks to her run as Ann Ming in ITV true crime drama I Fought The Law, having first won in 2015 playing another real-life role, Cilla Black.
Vicky McClure has got the nod for the third time — and her second nom as Trigger Point’s Lana Washington.
Ella Bruccoleri is shortlisted as Mary Bennet in The Other Bennet Sister and Judy Parfitt for Sister Monica Joan in Call The Midwife.
One of the female nominees will join the handful of women, Sheridan, Suranne Jones and Sarah Lancashire, who have lifted the gong since 2015.
National Television Awards has unveiled the shortlist for the 31st annual ceremony; pictured Claudia Winkleman
The awards will return with Joel Dommett as host as I'm A Celebrity and The Traitors both achieving double nominations for reality competition; pictured Ant and Dec
The final round of voting has opened on August 18 to decide who will lift the trophies at the star-studded awards, held at London's O2 Arena on September 8.
The awards will return with Joel Dommett as host as I'm A Celebrity and The Traitors both achieving double nominations for reality competition.
Two of TV’s biggest franchises pit themselves against each other. I’m A Celebrity… takes on its South African spin-off, while The Celebrity Traitors is up against its civilian version.
But hoping to weave its way between them all is Race Across the World.
In the TV Presenter category, can Ant & Dec seize back their crown to claim their 24th win, or will the chance to salute Sir David Attenborough in his 100th year prove too perfect for voting viewers.
