RTS Programme Awards: the winners

The Royal Television Society (RTS) Programme Awards, announced at a ceremony in central London last night, saw Netflix drama Adolescence from Warp Films win four awards.

As well as winning Limited Series and Single Drama and Writer – Drama, Adolescence breakout star Owen Cooper won both the Breakthrough Award and Supporting Actor – Male categories. Cooper’s co-star Erin Doherty also presented the Judges’ Award to Stephen Graham, Hannah Walters and Matriarch Productions, being highlighted for providing a platform for under-represented voices and to tell authentic stories, offering opportunities to people from all cultural backgrounds and social classes.

In the Comedy categories, Prime Video’s Last One Laughing won Comedy Entertainment, while Steve Coogan won Comedy Performance – Male for How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge). Channel 4’s Big Boys took home the Comedy Drama award, and the BBC’s Things You Should Have Done, fronted by comedian and internet personality Lucia Keskin/Chi With A C, won the Scripted Comedy category for the second year running.

For 2026, the RTS presented Sir Michael Palin with the Outstanding Achievement Award, for his stellar career now in its seventh decade as a comic performer, writer, actor and an acclaimed presenter, including as a founding member of legendary comedy group Monty Python and as the beloved presenter of docuseries Great Railway Journeys of the World.

Kenton Allen, Chair of the RTS Programme Awards, said: “Tonight’s winners are a powerful reminder that British television remains one of this country’s greatest creative and economic success stories — bold in ambition, world-class in craft, and fearless in the stories it chooses to tell. From breakout new talent to national treasures, these awards celebrate the extraordinary range of voices shaping modern television. In a fiercely competitive global market, UK producers, writers, actors directors and our phenomenal crews are creating work that moves audiences, starts conversations and travels the world.”

Winners and Nominations:

Arts
WINNER – The Last Musician of Auschwitz (Two Rivers Media in association with Access for BBC)
“An extraordinarily affecting film…this was a masterpiece,” said the judges of the winning title.
Nominees:
● Nick Cave’s Veiled World (Supercollider for Sky Arts)
● The Trouble With Mr Doodle (acme in association with Lightbox for Channel 4)

Breakthrough Award

WINNER – Owen Cooper – Adolescence (Warp Films, Matriarch Productions and Plan B for Netflix)
The judges described the winner as “the real deal, an astounding new talent who gave a performance that will live on in all our memories for many years to come.”
Nominees:
● Ellis Howard – What It Feels Like for a Girl (Hera Pictures for BBC)
● Kaydrah Walker-Wilkie – Just Act Normal (The Forge Entertainment for BBC)
● Maximilian Fairley – Unforgotten (Mainstreet Pictures, ITV Studios and Masterpiece for ITV1/ITVX)

Children’s Programme
WINNER – Crongton (New Pictures for BBC)
“Authentic, engaging, contemporary storytelling, delivered with great confidence,” remarked the judges on the winning show.
Nominees:
● Sky Kids Investigates: World. War. Me. (Fresh Start Media for Sky News)
● Wolf King (Lime Pictures for Netflix)

Comedy Drama
WINNER – Big Boys (Roughcut TV for Channel 4)
The judges said the winning show “combines great comedy with genuine dramatic emotion – it’s a sublime piece of work.”
Nominees:
● Dreaming Whilst Black (Big Deal Films for BBC)
● Juice (Various Artists Limited for BBC)

Comedy Entertainment
WINNER – Last One Laughing (Zeppotron/Initial for Prime Video)
The winning show, the judges said, “feels genuinely unique – and never less than laugh-out-loud funny”.
Nominees:
● Taskmaster (Avalon for Channel 4)
● Would I Lie to You? (Zeppotron for BBC)

Comedy Performance – Female
WINNER – Philippa Dunne – Amandaland (Merman Television for BBC)
“She makes an immediate impact the moment she arrives on screen,” said the judges of the winner, adding “The comedic ability she brings to this show is extraordinary.”
Nominees:
● Jordan Gray – Transaction (Big Talk Studios for ITV2/ITVX)
● Katherine Parkinson – Here We Go (BBC Studios Comedy for BBC)
● Lucy Punch – Amandaland (Merman Television for BBC)

Comedy Performance – Male
WINNER – Steve Coogan – How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge) (Baby Cow Productions for BBC)
“A winning performance of definitive comic expertise…he just never stops pushing the boundaries of the brilliantly drawn character,” said the judges.
Nominees:
● Adjani Salmon – Dreaming Whilst Black (Big Deal Films for BBC)
● Jon Pointing – Big Boys (Roughcut TV for Channel 4)
● Oliver Savell – Changing Ends (Baby Cow Productions for ITV1/ITVX)

Daytime Programme
WINNER – BBC Breakfast – Our Girls: The Southport Families (BBC Breakfast for BBC)
The winning programme, said the judges, “was produced with profound sensitivity, telling the story and articulating the emotions so beautifully.”
Nominees:
● Loose Women (MultiStory Media, part of ITV Studios, for ITV1/ITVX)
● The Marvellous Miniature Workshop (MGM Alternative for BBC)

Documentary Series
WINNER – Bibaa & Nicole: Murder in the Park (True Vision for Sky Documentaries)
The judges said the winning series “told a deeply impactful story with great care, handling trusted access with genuine sensitivity and responsibility.”
Nominees:
● Boyzone: No Matter What (Curious Films for Sky Documentaries)
● Murder 24/7 (Expectation TV for BBC)

Drama Series
WINNER – Blue Lights (Two Cities Television/Gallagher Films for BBC)
“A tense, nail-biting watch – a series so beautifully paced and immaculately written,” said the judges.
Nominees:
● Code of Silence (Mammoth Screen for ITV1/ITVX)
● Slow Horses (See-Saw Films for Apple TV)
● This City Is Ours (Left Bank Pictures for BBC)

Entertainment & Reality
WINNER – The Celebrity Traitors (Studio Lambert for BBC)
The winning show was described by the judges as “imaginatively cast and brilliantly produced, a real masterclass in popular television.”
Nominees:
● Married at First Sight UK (CPL Productions for E4)
● Race Across The World (Studio Lambert for BBC)

Entertainment Performance
WINNER – Rob Beckett & Romesh Ranganathan – Rob & Romesh Vs (CPL Productions for Sky Max)
“Supremely entertaining at all times, and so funny…” said the judges of the winner.
Nominees:
● Romesh Ranganathan – Romesh: Can’t Knock the Hustle (Ranga Bee Productions for Sky Max)
● Claudia Winkleman – The Celebrity Traitors (Studio Lambert for BBC)

Formatted Popular Factual
WINNER – The Assembly (Rockerdale Studios for ITV1/ITVX)
This programme, said the judges, “brilliantly created a space for difficult questions in a production crafted with real care.”
Nominees:
● Go Back to Where You Came From (Minnow Films for Channel 4)
● The Jury: Murder Trial (Screendog Productions for Channel 4)

History
WINNER – Flight 149: Hostage of War (Drum Studios for Sky Documentaries)
The judges described the winner as “a complex story told with profound clarity, a fine work with a gripping sense of purpose.”
Nominees:
● Simon Schama: The Road to Auschwitz (Oxford Film for BBC)
● Unforgotten: The Bradford City Fire (acme for BBC)

Leading Actor – Female
WINNER – Narges Rashidi – Prisoner 951 (Dancing Ledge Productions for BBC)
“A winning performance that showed true range and depth, but also real nuance,” said the judges. “She made her character very real.”
Nominees:
● Rose Ayling-Ellis – Code Of Silence (Mammoth Screen for ITV1/ITVX)
● Erin Doherty – A Thousand Blows (The Story Collective, Matriarch Productions and Water & Power Productions for Disney+)
● Tamara Lawrance – Get Millie Black (Motive Pictures for Channel 4)

Leading Actor – Male
WINNER – Bobby Schofield – Unforgivable (LA Productions for BBC)
“An outstanding performance of great control; he skilfully elicited empathy for a deeply troubling character,” commented the judges.
Nominees:
● Anthony Boyle – House of Guinness (Kudos and Nebulastar for Netflix)
● Malachi Kirby – A Thousand Blows (The Story Collective, Matriarch Productions and Water & Power Productions for Disney+)
● Stephen Graham – Adolescence (Warp Films, Matriarch Productions and Plan B for Netflix)

Limited Series and Single Drama
WINNER – Adolescence (Warp Films, Matriarch Productions and Plan B for Netflix)
“This was an immense achievement in programme making,” said the judges of the winner. “Compelling storytelling and stand out performances…a drama of real social impact.”
Nominees:
● Get Millie Black (Motive Pictures for Channel 4)
● I Fought the Law (Hera Pictures for ITV1/ITVX)
● What It Feels Like for a Girl (Hera Pictures for BBC)

Live Event
WINNER – Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 (BBC Studios Events for BBC)
The winning programme, said the judges, “was so thoughtfully produced, perfectly finding the right tone for the occasion.”
Nominees:
● VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember (BBC Studios Events for BBC)
● Last Night of the Proms: Finale (Livewire Pictures for BBC)

Presenter
WINNER – Hamza Yassin – Hamza’s Hidden Wild Isles (Silverback Films for BBC)
The winning presenter, said the judges, “combines a deep understanding of the subject with a commitment and passion that leaps out of the screen.”
Nominees:
● Martin Lewis – The Martin Lewis Money Show Live (MultiStory Media, part of ITV Studios, for ITV1/ITVX)
● Davina McCall – Stand Up To Cancer: Cancer Clinic Live (Bango Studios & HiddenLight Productions for Channel 4)

Science & The Natural World
WINNER – Underdogs (Wildstar Films, a Fremantle company, in partnership with Maximum Effort for National Geographic and Disney+)
The judges called the winning programme “completely original in so many ways, an absolutely stunning watch.”
Nominees:
● Confessions Of A Brain Surgeon (Curious Films for BBC)
● Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey (Anonymous Content, Dog Star and Water Creature for Netflix)

Scripted Comedy
WINNER – Things You Should Have Done (Roughcut TV for BBC)
In selecting the winner, the judges were drawn to what they called “the strong, original voice at the show’s heart, delivering moments of pure joy and utter absurdity.”
Nominees:
● Here We Go (BBC Studios Comedy for BBC)
● How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge) (Baby Cow Productions for BBC)
● Such Brave Girls (Various Artists Limited for BBC)

Single Documentary
WINNER – Grenfell: Uncovered (Rogan Productions for Netflix)
“An important film in which the devastating first person testimonies delivered a real gut punch, reinforcing what a scandalous story this remains,” said the judges.
Nominees:
● Gaza: Doctors Under Attack (Basement Films for Channel 4)
● Groomed: A National Scandal (Candour Productions for Channel 4)

Soap and Continuing Drama
WINNER – EastEnders (BBC Studios for BBC)
The winning programme, said the judges, “had the full package – fine performances from great actors, strong writing and fantastic production values.”
Nominees:
● Casualty (BBC Studios for BBC)
● Hollyoaks (Lime Pictures for Channel 4)

Sports Presenter, Commentator or Pundit
WINNER – Gabby Logan – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 (Whisper Cymru for BBC)
The judges described the winner as “a consummate professional who sets the gold standard for sports broadcasting, and who excelled in this coverage.”
Nominees:
● Alex Jacques – 2025 Formula 1 Highlights (Whisper for Channel 4)
● Ruby Tui – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 (Whisper Cymru for BBC)

Sports Programme
WINNER – 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Sky Sports)
“A gripping watch, blending innovation with terrific story telling as the amazing event unfolded,” said the judges.
Nominees:
● UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Final (Sunset+Vine for BBC)
● Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 (Whisper Cymru for BBC)

Supporting Actor – Female
WINNER – Anna Friel – Unforgivable (LA Productions for BBC)
The winner, the judges said, “gave a performance that just stays with you. Powerful, authentic…and utterly truthful.”
Nominees:
● Aimee Lou Wood – Toxic Town (Broke & Bones for Netflix)
● Erin Doherty – Adolescence (Warp Films, Matriarch Productions and Plan B for Netflix)
● Saskia Reeves – Slow Horses (See-Saw Films for Apple TV)

Supporting Actor – Male
WINNER – Owen Cooper – Adolescence (Warp Films, Matriarch Productions and Plan B for Netflix)
“This was work that showed total conviction from a natural talent,” said the judges. “A performance of phenomenal skill in a demanding, uncompromising role.”
Nominees:
● Alexej Manvelov – Dept. Q (Left Bank Pictures for Netflix)
● Christopher Chung – Slow Horses (See-Saw Films for Apple TV)
● Joshua McGuire – The Gold (Tannadice Pictures, part of Objective Media Group for BBC)

Writer – Comedy
WINNER – Kat Sadler – Such Brave Girls (Various Artists Limited for BBC)
The judges described this work as “uncompromisingly bold and extremely funny, pairing blistering jokes with surprising warmth.”
Nominees:
● Adjani Salmon & Ali Hughes – Dreaming Whilst Black (Big Deal Films for BBC)
● Tom Basden – Here We Go (BBC Studios Comedy for BBC)
● Jack Rooke – Big Boys (Roughcut TV for Channel 4)

Writer – Drama
WINNER – Jack Thorne & Stephen Graham – Adolescence (Warp Films, Matriarch Productions and Plan B for Netflix)
The judges described this writing as “outstanding and exceptional”, adding that “it sets a new, very high benchmark for dramatic work”.
Nominees:
● Adam Patterson & Declan Lawn – Blue Lights (Two Cities Television/Gallagher Films for BBC)
● Catherine Moulton – Code of Silence (Mammoth Screen for ITV1/ITVX)
● Sally Wainwright – Riot Women (Drama Republic for BBC and BritBox)

Judges’ Award
WINNER – Stephen Graham, Hannah Walters and Matriarch Productions

Presented by Erin Doherty: “In 2023 and 2024 I was privileged to work on two television projects that were co-produced by an outstanding production company run by two exceptional individuals. It’s this company, and these people, that the Judges have chosen to honour tonight with this Award. I’m referring to Matriarch Productions, and the two inspiring people who created it – Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters.

Stephen and Hannah founded Matriarch just five years ago. They did it with one clear purpose in mind – to provide a platform for under-represented voices and stories…stories that might otherwise never be heard and seen. They wanted to produce work that offered a voice to the voiceless, work that told the neglected narratives of people who’d grown used to their life experiences and struggles being overlooked – or just plain ignored. In particular, they wanted to tell stories that had a working class perspective running right through them. And founding Matriarch wasn’t just about putting this on the screen, either. They wanted their company to offer real opportunities to people whose cultural background or social class made them feel that working in television was an unachievable fantasy. The company would give a chance to talented people who’d grown up like Stephen and Hannah had grown up, as working class kids for whom nothing was a given. It would be a place for inclusivity, for diversity, for everyone.

At Matriarch, Stephen and Hannah’s mission is just getting underway, but what a year this has been for them. The two co-productions that viewers saw in 2025 – and that I was proud to be a part of – were Adolescence and A Thousand Blows, which followed their hit series from 2023, Boiling Point.”

Outstanding Achievement Award
WINNER – Sir Michael Palin