The National Television Awards just dropped their 2026 nominations, and if you've been paying attention to the industry, you'll notice something striking about the drama performance category. For the first time in the history of the event, the shortlist is entirely female. We’re talking about a five-strong list featuring Ella Bruccoleri, Sheridan Smith, Ruth Jones, Vicky McClure, and Judy Parfitt.
This isn't just a quirky statistical anomaly. It reflects a significant shift in how British audiences are consuming and rewarding television right now.
The Shift Toward Female-Led Drama
For years, the NTA drama categories felt like a revolving door of the same familiar faces. You’d see the heavy hitters, often male, dominating the conversation year after year. Seeing a list that highlights five distinct, powerful performances by women—without a single male nominee in sight—signals that the public vote is moving in a new direction.
Let’s look at who’s actually on this list and why it matters:
- Sheridan Smith: A previous winner who consistently delivers, this time recognized for her portrayal of campaigner Ann Ming in the ITV drama I Fought The Law.
- Ruth Jones: Moving from the comfort of Gavin & Stacey, she’s getting nods for the Netflix thriller Run Away.
- Vicky McClure: A staple of high-stakes television, recognized for her role as Lana Washington in Trigger Point.
- Ella Bruccoleri: Proving that the "newcomer" or "breakout" energy still holds weight, nominated for her work in The Other Bennet Sister.
- Judy Parfitt: A testament to longevity and craft, she’s up for her role in the beloved Call The Midwife.
Why This Matters More Than Just "Diversity"
It’s easy to look at this and call it a PR win. But that’s selling the audience short. The NTAs are a public-voted award. Unlike the BAFTAs or other industry-curated prizes where committees decide the winners behind closed doors, the NTAs are driven by the people watching at home.
When the public votes, they’re voting with their time and their emotions. This shortlist proves that the stories resonating most deeply with UK viewers in 2026 happen to be fronted by women. We’re seeing a shift away from the traditional, often male-centric "hero" narratives that dominated the early 2000s. Instead, viewers are gravitating toward complex, multi-layered portrayals of grief, crime, and social justice.
The Public Vote vs The Industry
Critics often argue that public awards are just popularity contests. That’s partially true, but that’s exactly why this milestone is so impressive. It isn't a quota-driven decision by an executive panel trying to hit diversity targets. It’s the result of hundreds of thousands of people saying, "This performance moved me."
If you’re a fan of British television, you’ve likely noticed the quality gap closing between terrestrial channels and the heavy-hitter streamers. The fact that Netflix’s Run Away is sitting on a list alongside mainstays like Call The Midwife proves that the platform doesn’t matter as much as the talent.
What This Means for Future Nominations
If you’re looking at these awards through the lens of a fan or an industry watcher, don’t expect this to be a one-off. Trends in television are rarely isolated. When a specific type of performance wins big or dominates a shortlist, casting directors, producers, and showrunners notice. They follow the money and the engagement.
If this year’s winner comes from this all-female group, expect more development budget to be funneled into similar character-driven projects. It’s how the industry works. It’s a feedback loop.
How to Get Involved
If you have a stake in who wins, remember that these awards aren’t over yet. The public vote is open until September 8, 2026. The ceremony, hosted by Joel Dommett at The O2, is where it all settles. Whether you think Sheridan Smith is a lock or you’re rooting for an underdog, the process is simple. Head over to the National Television Awards website and cast your vote.
At the end of the day, these awards serve as a temperature check for what we actually care about. In 2026, it seems we care about seeing women take the lead.
National Television Awards 2026 drama performance nominees
This video provides a quick overview of the recent 2026 nominations and the context behind the shift in the drama performance category.
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