The 2026 BAFTA Television Awards served as a fantastic evening for Merseyside, with local talent securing several of the night’s most prestigious honours.
Held at the Royal Festival Hall in London, the ceremony highlights Liverpool’s continuing influence on the global stage.
The drama series Adolescence was the primary catalyst for this success, providing the platform for multiple Scouse victories in the acting categories.
How Liverpool actors stole the show at the BAFTAs
Stephen Graham, originally from Kirkby, secured the award for Leading Actor.
His win was a significant moment for both the actor and the city, marking his first BAFTA victory after a career spanning decades of acclaimed work.
Graham, who also played a pivotal role in the creation of the series, has long been a vocal advocate for the North West and the creative potential within working-class communities.
Joining him in the winner’s circle was Christine Tremarco, who took home the prize for Supporting Actress.
Tremarco, another Kirkby native, was recognised for her powerful performance in the same production.
The double win for two actors who grew up in the same area of Liverpool was noted as a rare and proud achievement for the region.
The evening’s success extended to the Supporting Actor category, which was won by Owen Cooper.
Although from nearby Warrington, Cooper has strong cultural ties to Liverpool and utilised his platform to pay tribute to the city’s musical and artistic heritage.
His win further solidified the dominance of the drama Adolescence, which proved to be the most successful programme of the night.
The rise of Merseyside drama on the global stage
While not every nominee from the city walked away with a trophy, the representation was unprecedented. James Nelson-Joyce was nominated for Leading Actor for his role in the BBC drama This City Is Ours.
His journey from Walton to the BAFTA red carpet was celebrated as a testament to the thriving talent pool within the city.
Nelson-Joyce expressed his pride in representing his hometown, describing Liverpool as a place with an undeniable spirit that cannot be ignored by the industry.
The 2026 awards reflect a broader trend of Liverpool being at the heart of the British television industry.
With numerous high-profile dramas being filmed on location across the Merseyside region, the city is no longer just a backdrop but a primary source of world-class storytelling and acting talent.
The evening concluded as a resounding validation of the creative contributions made by Scousers to the arts, proving that the path from the streets of Liverpool to the highest accolades in television is well-travelled and wider than ever.
