Finalists announced for 2026 Northern Ireland TV Awards
The Royal Television Society, Northern Ireland (RTS NI) have just announced the finalists for this year’s prestigious Television Awards, with headline sponsor Ka-Boom.
The winners will be announced at the 11th RTS NI Awards ceremony which takes place on Thursday 12 November at the Titanic Belfast.
The 2026 finalists span 19 categories, showcasing excellence in drama, documentary, entertainment, news, craft, and emerging talent.
Maeve McLoughlin, Chair of RTS NI said: “Northern Ireland’s television industry is firmly establishing itself as a major global force, with our productions and people enjoying success not only with leading UK and Irish broadcasters but also on streaming platforms.
"International co-productions are flourishing and a vibrant local talent pipeline continues to grow. This year’s shortlist showcases the world-class talent, ambition and creativity that defines our sector. Every finalist is a testament to the originality, dedication and bold storytelling that keeps Northern Ireland on the international radar. It is a privilege to celebrate a community that leads with both innovation and heart."
Zoe McGivern, Chair of RTS NI Awards said: “The judging panels were genuinely impressed by the standard of entries this year. From breakout new talent to returning heavy‑hitters, the quality is exceptional. These awards are about celebrating the people who make Northern Ireland’s screen sector thrive, and November’s ceremony at Titanic Belfast looks set to be our biggest celebration yet.”
Discover the RTS NI Awards 2026 finalists 👇
Actor – Female sponsored by Hill Vellacott
Siân Brooke - Blue Lights - Two Cities Television/Gallagher Films for BBC
Katherine Devlin - Blue Lights for Two Cities Television/Gallagher Films for BBC
Caoilfhionn Dunne - How To Get To Heaven From Belfast - Hat Trick Productions for Netflix
Lola Petticrew - Trespasses - Wildgaze Films for Channel 4
Actor – Male sponsored by Studio Ulster
Vittorio Angelone - Rewarding - Conker Pictures for BBC Northern Ireland
Tom Cullen - Trespasses - Wildgaze Films Ltd for Channel 4
Jonathan Harden - Mix Tape- Subotica/Aquarius for BBC/Binge
Michael Smilie - Blue Lights - Two Cities Television/Gallagher Films for BBC
Breakthrough Award On-screen sponsored by MBS Equipment Co
Vittorio Angelone - Rewarding - Conker Pictures for BBC Northern Ireland
Dearbháile McKinney - Blue Lights - Two Cities Television/Gallagher Films for BBC
Jane Rea - Bloomin Wild - Below the Radar for BBC Northern Ireland
Oisín Thompson – Trespasses - Wildgaze Films Ltd for Channel 4
Children’s / Animation sponsored by MMW Legal
BeddyByes – JAM Media for BBC
Crookhaven - BBC Studios Kids & Family for BBC One
My Brother the Minotaur - Dog Ears and Cartoon Saloon in association with Apple for Apple TV
My Story: Tomi Champion of the World - HopSkip Studios for RTÉ
Comedy sponsored by ITV Studios
Funboys - Mayhay Studios for BBC Three/BBC Northern Ireland
Glue - Hat Trick Productions NI for BBC
How to Get to Heaven From Belfast - Hat Trick Productions for Netflix
Rewarding - Conker Pictures for BBC Northern Ireland
Current Affairs sponsored by Lewis Silkin (NI) LLP
I Exposed Dark World of UK Puppy Farms - Recorded Time for Channel 4 Documentaries/YouTube
Spotlight | Politician, Predator & Paedophile - BBC Northern Ireland
Up Close - Cervical Smear Scandal - UTV
Up Close - Trust Issues - UTV
Documentaries – Series
Confessions of a Killer - Below the Radar for BBC Northern Ireland/BBC Two
Death of a Showjumper - Walk on Air Films/ Sky Studios for Sky
DJ Carey: The Dodger - Fine Point Films for RTÉ
Peelers: The Real PSNI - Third Street Studios for BBC
Documentary – Singles sponsored by Queen’s University Belfast
Caitlin Hanna: Trafficked in Belfast - Strident Media for BBC
Men of the Manosphere - Strident Media for BBC
Principal Ballerina - Ronin Films for BBC Northern Ireland
The Disappearance of Captain Nairac - Erica Starling Productions for BBC
Drama sponsored by Yellowmoon
Aontas - Púca Pictures for BBC
Blue Lights - Two Cities Television / Gallagher Films for BBC
Leonard & Hungry Paul - Subotica for BBC
Trespasses - Wildgaze Films for Channel 4
Entertainment sponsored by Belfast Harbour Studios
Millionaire Hot Seat - Stellify Media for ITV
The 2 Johnnies Late Night Lock In - Green Inc Film and TV for RTÉ
Will and Ralf Should Know Better Series 2 - Afro-Mic Productions for U&Dave
Written By Us - Inspired for BBC Northern Ireland
Factual Entertainment sponsored by ABBAS Media Law
Battle of the Irish Dancers - Big Mountain Productions for Sky
Clive Myrie’s African Adventure - Alleycats for BBC
High Road Low Road - Green Inc Film and TV for RTÉ
Ronan Keating’s Wild Atlantic - Alleycats for BBC
Lifestyle and Features sponsored by Sunbelt Rentals Film and TV
How to Sleep Better - Afro-Mic Productions for Channel 4
Natalie Cassidy: Caring Together - Big Mountain Productions for BBC
Tour de Fred - Waddell Media for Channel 4
Trace, Track, Get My Car Back - Rare TV for BBC
News Coverage sponsored by Balloo Hire Centres
BBC Newsline: Racist Riots for BBC Northern Ireland
UTV Live - Bloody Sunday for UTV
UTV Live - Donaldson Verdict for UTV
UTV Live – Race Riots for UTV
Original Music Score
Andrew Simon McAllister - Girl Taken - Clapperboard Studios for Paramount+
David Holmes & Brian Irvine - Trespasses - Wildgaze Films for Channel 4
Eoin O'Callaghan - Blue Lights - Two Cities TV/Gallagher Films for BBC
Katie Richardson - Crookhaven - BBC Studios for BBC One
Post-Production Individual - Craft sponsored by ScreenSkills
Lauren McGuigan (Editor) - Pitch Invasion - Yellowmoon (Doubleband Films) for BBC Northern Ireland
Paul Maynes (Sound Mixing) - Trespasses -Yellowmoon (Wildgaze Films) for Channel 4
Scott Ferguson (Colourist) – Blue Lights – Yellowmoon (Two Cities TV/Gallagher Films) for BBC
Steven Diamond (Editor) - Peelers: The PSNI For Real - Third Street Studios for BBC
Specialist Factual sponsored by Novare Films
Gradam Ceoil TG4 @ Expo 25: Dhá Oileán Cheolmhara - Big Mountain Productions for TG4
Pitch Invasion: How the USA Changed Soccer - DoubleBand Films for BBC
Queen James - Waddell Media for BBC Northern Ireland/BBC Two
Titanic Sinks Tonight - Stellify Media for BBC
Writer sponsored by BBC Studios
Ailbhe Keogan, Trespasses - Wildgaze Films for Channel 4
Damian McCann & Sarah Gordon, Aontas - Púca Pictures for BBC
Lisa McGee, How To Get To Heaven From Belfast - Hat Trick Productions for Netflix
Matthew McDevitt, Rewarding - Conker Pictures for BBC Northern Ireland
The winners of the Hidden Hero Award, sponsored by Ka-Boom and the Brian Waddell Award for Outstanding Contribution to the industry, will be announced on the night. Judging in each category was carried out independently by an experienced panel of judges.
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