This yr’s Audio Drama Awards showcase the sheer breadth of creativeness and ability that audio storytellers convey to our audiences. From daring new voices to cherished, lengthy‑operating programmes, the winners mirror a medium that continues to evolve whereas remaining true to its roots as one of the BBC’s most celebrated artforms.
The BBC, the largest commissioner of audio drama globally, has in the present day introduced the winners of the 2026 Audio Drama Awards, celebrating the highest writing, performing, and manufacturing expertise. Now of their fifteenth yr, the awards proceed to spotlight the extraordinary creativity and craft that outline audio drama throughout BBC radio and past.
Meet David Sedaris, the much-loved collection of comedian essays from acclaimed humourist David Sedaris, has gained Best Stand Up or Sketch Comedy, whereas Best Actress was awarded to Gabrielle Creevy (The Guest, Black Doves) for her function as Olive in Astronomers, a space-obsessed jail lifer who goes on the run. Best Actor was gained by Malachi Kirby (A Thousand Blows) for his function as Robbie in Secrets and Lies: The Final Touch, the tragic story of twin brothers, each skilled footballers, torn aside by household historical past.
The ceremony additionally featured particular honours together with Outstanding Contribution for Faith, Hope and Glory, a century-spanning drama collection tracing the emergence of trendy Britain by way of the lives of three ladies; a Special Award marking the world’s longest-running persevering with drama as The Archers marks its seventy fifth anniversary, celebrating its legendary standing as one of the BBC’s hottest programmes, and a tribute to the late Sir Tom Stoppard given by Bill Nighy, in recognition of his audio work.
Radio Times introduced the inaugural Radio Times’ Readers’ Drama award, voted for by readers from a listing chosen by critics. The profitable drama was When Maggie Met Larry, from Catherine Bailey Productions, starring Derek Jacobi and Frances Barber.
Alison Hindell, Radio 4 Commissioner for Drama and Fiction, says, “This year’s Audio Drama Awards showcase the sheer breadth of imagination and skill that audio storytellers bring to our audiences. From bold new voices to cherished, long‑running programmes, the winners reflect a medium that continues to evolve while remaining true to its roots as one of the BBC’s most celebrated artforms.”
David Sedaris says, “I never win anything so this was worth flying across the Atlantic for.”
BBC Audio Drama Awards 2026 winners
Outstanding Contribution
Faith, Hope and Glory by Roy Williams, Winsome Pinnock, Rex Obano, Carol Russell, produced by Pat Cumper, Jessica Dromgoole and Mary Peate, and directed by Anthony Simpson-Pike; a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Radio 4
Special Award
The Archers at 75
Radio Times Readers’ Drama Award
When Maggie Met Larry, made by Catherine Bailey Productions for BBC Radio 4
Runner up: Chicken Burger N Chips, an Unedited manufacturing for BBC Radio 4, commissioned as half of the New Makers scheme.
Best Original Single Drama
One Hundred and Fifty Days by Oliver Emanuel, produced by Kirsty Williams at BBC Audio Scotland for BBC Radio 4
Best Adaptation
Kramer versus Kramer by Avery Korman and tailored by Sarah Wooley; produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Carl Prekopp at BBC Audio Scotland for BBC Radio 4
Special commendation for Saint Joan of the Anthropocene, tailored by Linda Marshall Griffiths from George Bernard Shaw, produced by Nadia Molinari at BBC Studios Audio for BBC Radio 3
Best Original Series or Serial
Life and Time by James Fritz, produced by Tracey Neale at BBC Studios Audio for BBC Radio 4
Best Actress
Gabrielle Creevy in Astronomers, directed by John Norton for BBC Audio Wales & West for BBC Radio 4
Best Actor
Malachi Kirby in Secrets and Lies: The Final Touch, directed by Celia de Wolff at Pier Productions for BBC Radio 4
Best Podcast Audio Drama
Buzz: The Man and the Moon by Stephen Kronish, produced by John Scott Dryden and Emma Hearn at Goldhawk Productions & Thoroughbred Studios for iHeart
Special commendation for Discretion by Chris Brandon and Davy Banks, produced by Claire Broughton and John Wakefield at Hat Trick Productions for BBC Radio 4
Best Comedy Performance
Chris Cantrill in Icklewick FM, produced by Benjamin Sutton and Laura Shaw at Daddy’s SuperYacht Productions for BBC Radio 4
The Marc Beeby Award for Best Debut Performance
Connor Finch in Life and Time, directed by Tracey Neale at BBC Studios Audio for BBC Radio 4
Special commendation for Sofia Oxenham in The English Are Coming, directed by Nicolas Jackson at Afonica for BBC Radio 4
Best Sitcom or Comedy Drama
Lyra by Joe Barnes and Henry Perryment, produced by James Robinson at BBC Studios Audio for BBC Radio 4
Best Stand Up or Sketch Comedy
Meet David Sedaris by David Sedaris, produced by Steve Doherty at Giddy Goat Productions for BBC Radio 4
Best Use of Sound
The Girl of the Sea of Cortez – sound by Adam Woodhams, produced by Nicolas Jackson at Afonica for BBC Radio 4
Best European Drama
Not Born for a War by Anatolii Neiolov, produced by Iryna Korniienko for Radio Kultura, Suspilne, Ukraine
Special commendation for The Pack by Monica Helfer, tailored and directed by Elisabeth Weilenmann, producer Wolfram Höll, ORF Austria
Imison Award
A Tale of Two Trumpets by Sylvia-Anne Parker, produced by Kirsty Williams at BBC Audio Scotland for BBC Radio 4
Tinniswood Award
One Hundred and Fifty Days by Oliver Emanuel, produced by Kirsty Williams at BBC Audio Scotland for BBC Radio 4
About the BBC Audio Drama Awards:
The BBC Audio Drama Awards have a good time the passionate and devoted work of professionals who convey this artform to listeners – from actors to writers, producers and sound designers.
Previous winners embrace Rosamund Pike, Susan Wokoma, Miriam Margolyes, Juliet Aubrey, Bridget Christie, Edmund Davies, Phil Wang, Danny Sapani, John Hurt and many extra.
The BBC as soon as once more joined with the Society of Authors and Writers’ Guild of Great Britain to current the two annual writing awards run by these organisations, the Imison Award (for finest script by a author new to audio) and the Tinniswood Award (for the finest audio script of the yr). For the first time this yr, the Radio Times has introduced the Radio Times’ Readers’ Drama award, voted for by readers from a listing chosen by critics.
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