The Netflix series shines with 11 nominations, including Leading Actor for Stephen Graham, alongside strong contenders like Andor and A Thousand Blows.
Category: Arts & Culture
The BAFTA Television Awards have unveiled an impressive lineup of nominees for 2026, with Netflix's Adolescence leading the pack with a staggering 11 nominations. The series, crafted by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, explores the influence of the manosphere on a British teenager, and it is poised for a remarkable showing at the awards ceremony.
Among its nominations, Adolescence features Graham competing for Leading Actor, where he faces off against notable talents including Colin Firth for Lockerbie: A Search for Truth, Matt Smith for The Death of Bunny Munro, and Taron Egerton for Smoke. The series also boasts four nominations for supporting roles, with Ashley Walters, Owen Cooper, Christine Tremarco, and Erin Doherty all recognized for their performances.
Notably, Adolescence is nominated for Limited Drama, and many industry insiders are anticipating a strong performance from the series, especially following its success at the Emmys and Golden Globes. The buzz around the show has led to expectations that it will secure victories across multiple categories.
Following Adolescence, Disney+'s A Thousand Blows, created by Steven Knight, has garnered seven nominations, including for Drama Series and Leading Actress, where Doherty is competing for recognition twice on the night. The series contributed to Disney+ achieving a record 17 nominations across both the Television and Craft awards.
Meanwhile, the BBC leads the nominations with a total of 73, which includes five for the popular show The Celebrity Traitors. This series has captured the attention of audiences, making it the highest-rated show on British television for 2025.
Greg Davies, known for his role on Taskmaster, will host the BAFTA Television Awards at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall on May 10, 2026. This event marks BAFTA’s first major gathering since the Film Awards, which had been overshadowed by controversies surrounding comments made by Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson.
Jane Millichip, CEO of BAFTA, expressed excitement over the nominations, stating, "2025 has been an exceptional year for television, which is evident from the 124 nominated programmes. This highlights the strength and originality of British storytelling." She emphasized the diversity of the nominees, which range from powerful documentaries to standout comedies and homegrown dramas.
Disney+’s A Thousand Blows has been particularly impressive, with its nominations and with its contribution to the platform's record-breaking total. The nominations for this series include categories like Drama Series, where it faces competition from other strong contenders such as Blue Lights, Code of Silence, and This City is Ours.
Interestingly, the nominations for the BAFTA Television Craft Awards were also revealed, with Andor, the Disney+ series set within the Star Wars universe, receiving six nominations. This includes recognition for Costume Design, Director: Fiction, Editing: Fiction, Production Design, Sound: Fiction, and Special, Visual and Graphic Effects. The series is among the top contenders alongside Adolescence and Trespasses, which both received six nominations.
With the BAFTA Television Craft Awards scheduled for April 26, 2026, excitement is building for the recognition of talent behind the scenes. The Craft Awards will highlight the technical achievements that contribute to the success of television programming, celebrating the unsung heroes of the industry.
For the BAFTA Television Awards, the competition is fierce. Adolescence is up for Limited Drama and for a slew of performance categories, making it a strong favorite. The series' narrative has resonated with viewers and critics alike, setting high expectations for its performance at the awards.
Other notable nominees include LOL: Last One Laughing, which has made waves on Amazon Prime Video, and it too will compete for recognition, adding to the diversity of the nominations. With 28 nominations across its various shows, Netflix is hoping to capitalize on its momentum from previous award seasons.
BAFTA's commitment to recognizing new talent is evident this year, with a number of first-time nominees among the ranks. This initiative highlights established names and shines a light on the vibrant new talent shaping the future of the industry. The nominations this year are a reflection of a medium at its creative peak, demonstrating the evolution of storytelling across platforms.
With the awards just around the corner, anticipation is palpable among fans and industry professionals alike. The BAFTA Television Awards promise to be a celebration of creativity, innovation, and the hard work that goes into making some of the most beloved shows on television today.
Mark your calendars for the BAFTA Television Craft Awards on April 26, 2026, and the BAFTA Television Awards on May 10, 2026, where the best of British television will be celebrated.