The Royal Television Society, Northern Ireland (RTS NI) is delighted to announce 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.
This year’s shortlist reflects the success of Northern Ireland productions which continue to secure global distribution, break streaming records, and attract major international partners. 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.”
The 11th RTS NI Awards 2026 ceremony with headline sponsor Ka-Boom and support from BBC Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen, Channel 4, RTÉ and TG4 will be held in Titanic Belfast on Thursday 12 November, 2026. The 68 RTS NI Awards 2026 finalists are listed below:
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.
Full list of nominees with relevant programme stills available at https://rts.org.uk/award/rts-ni-awards-2026-nominees-announced