Sheridan Smith joins female stars making history in National Television Awards 2026 nominations

Nominations for the National Television Awards (NTAs) have been unveiled today, and history has been made in one particular category.

Each year, the awards allow us the opportunity to celebrate the best of British TV and, until last year, give Ant and Dec a big pat on the back for their presenting capabilities.

In 2025, a big shake-up came when Gary Lineker won the award for best presenter instead of the Geordie duo – and it turns out the upcoming ceremony is going to be one for the history books too.

For the first time, the category for best drama performance features an all- female line-up of nominees, including the incomparable Sheridan Smith for her stellar performance in the ITV series I Fought The Law.

She’s joined in the category 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.

Meanwhile, the reality competition category has us feeling sorry for the BBC’s brilliant show Race Across The World, considering it’s up against two double whammies – I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and I’m A Celebrity South Africa, as well as The Traitors and The Celebrity Traitors.

National treasure Sir David Attenborough (even though he doesn’t like to be called that) has received a double nomination, for TV presenter and for his programme Secret Garden.

Can Sir David defeat Ant and Dec in the same year that he turned 100? It would make a pretty sweet belated birthday present if you ask us.

Elsewhere, the steamy breakout hit show Heated Rivalry, which is already recognised as a cult classic, has received a nod in the new drama category.

Meanwhile, 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 as he needs to undergo ‘immediate surgery’.

Here’s everything you need to know about the NTAs, including the full list of nominees, how to vote and how you can still buy tickets.

Who’s been nominated for the 2026 NTAs?

When is the awards ceremony taking place?

The awards ceremony is taking place on Tuesday September 8 at London’s O2 Arena.

Doors will open for early concourse access at 6pm, with the main doors opening at 7pm.

The closest train station to the arena is North Greenwich, which you can access on the Jubilee line.

If you’re tuning in from home, the awards ceremony is expected to air on ITV at 8pm on Tuesday September 8.

How can you vote?

You can vote from the final shortlist for the NTAs by following this link.

How can you buy tickets to attend?

Tickets are still on sale to attend the National Television Awards in person.

You can find links to them on the official website for the show, where you’ll be redirected to ticketing partners AXS and Ticketmaster.

At the time of writing, general tickets are available from £28.12 on AXS and from £33.35 on Ticketmaster.

There is also the option to pay more for more exclusive access, such as buying a £139 ticket to be on the red carpet watching the stars arrive.

There’s a premium red carpet ticket option for £257, a star treatment experience for £268, and a premium star treatment ticket for £381.

The five-star experience, which costs £1,025, is now sold out.

To find out more about National Television Awards tickets, click here.

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