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British Academy Television Award for Best Actress

Honor awarded to British television actresses


Honor awarded to British television actresses

FieldValue
nameBritish Academy Television Award for Best Actress
imageMarisa Abela Back to Black interview (cropped).png
caption2025 Recipient: Marisa Abela
presenterBritish Academy of Film and Television Arts
countryUnited Kingdom
holderMarisa Abela for Industry (2025)
year1954 (presented 1955)
website

This is a list of the British Academy Television Awards for Best Actress. The British Academy Television Awards began in 1955. The Best Actress award was initially given as an "individual honour", without credit to a particular performance, until 1969, when Wendy Craig won for her performance in Not in Front of the Children. Since 1970, nominees have been announced in addition to the winner, and are listed, with the winner highlighted in blue. The Actress category was split into Leading Actress and Supporting Actress, starting in 2010.

Julie Walters holds the record of most wins in this category with four, followed by Judi Dench, Thora Hird, and Helen Mirren, with three wins each. The nominations tally includes Helen Mirren and Francesca Annis having received 6 and Judi Dench and Julie Walters having received 7. The award is currently held by Marisa Abela having won most recently in 2025 for Industry*.*

Winners and nominees

1950s

YearActorProjectRole(s)Ref.
**1955
(1st)
**
Googie Withers
**1956
(2nd)
**
Virginia McKenna
**1957
(3rd)
**
Rosalie Crutchley
**1958
(4th)
**
*Not awarded*
**1959
(5th)
**
Gwen Watford

1960s

YearActorProjectRole(s)Ref.
**1960
(6th)
**
Catherine Lacey
**1961
(7th)
**
Billie Whitelaw
**1962
(8th)
**
Ruth Dunning
**1963
(9th)
**
Brenda Bruce
**1964
(10th)
**
Vivien Merchant
**1965
(11th)
**
Katherine Blake
**1966
(12th)
**
Gwen Watford*The Cesar Birotteau/Madam/End Of Term/Take Care Of Madam/The Rules Of The Game*
Peggy AshcroftThe Wars of the Roses/Rosmersholm
June BarryFour of Hearts - Tilt/Twice Upon a Time/Progress to the Park/No Trams to Lime Street
Vivien MerchantThe Tea Party
Moira RedmondAnatol/The Late Edwina Black/Challenge/R-3 Series/A Tall Stalwart Lancer
**1967
(13th)
**
Vanessa Redgrave
**1968
(14th)
**
Judi Dench*Talking to a Stranger*
**1969
(15th)
**
Wendy Craig*Not in Front of the Children*

1970s

YearActorProjectRole(s)Ref.
**1970
(16th)
**
Margaret Tyzack*The First Churchills*Anne, Queen of Great Britain
Sheila AllenThe Confessions of Marian EvansMarian Evans
Eileen AtkinsThe Letter / The Heiress (Play of the Month) / Double Bill (The Wednesday Play)Leslie Crosbie / Catherine Sloper / Woman
Gwen WatfordA Walk Through the ForestDorrie Clarke
**1971
(17th)
**
Annette Crosbie*The Six Wives of Henry VIII*Catherine of Aragon
Glenda JacksonHowards EndMargaret Schlegel
Gemma JonesThe Lie / The Spoils of PoyntonAnna Firth / Fleda Vetch
Rosemary LeachGerminal / The Roads to FreedomMaheude / Marcelle
Dorothy TutinThe Six Wives of Henry VIII / Flotsam and JetsamAnne Boleyn / Mrs. Grange
**1972
(18th)
**
Patricia Hayes*Edna, the Inebriate Woman*Edna
Glenda JacksonElizabeth RElizabeth I of England
Gemma JonesThe Man in the Side Car / The Cherry OrchardEdith / Varya
Rosemary LeachThe Mosedale Horseshoe / Cider with RosieHelen / Mother
**1973
(19th)
**
Billie Whitelaw*The Sextet (8 plays)*Various Characters
Pauline CollinsUpstairs Downstairs / "Crippled Bloom" (Country Matters)Sarah Moffat / Ruby
Anne StallybrassThe Onedin Line / The Strauss FamilyAnne Onedin / Anna Strauss
**1974
(20th)
**
Celia Johnson*Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont*Mrs. Palfrey
Francesca AnnisA Pin to See the PeepshowJulia Almond
Rosemary LeachThe Adventures of Don Quioxte (Play of the Month)Dulcinea / Aldonza
Billie Whitelaw"The Withered Arm" (Wessex Tales)Rhoda
**1975
(21st)
**
Lee Remick*Jennie: Lady Randolph Churchill*Jennie
Judy CornwellCakes and AleRosie Gann
Janet SuzmanFlorence Nightingale / Hedda Gabler (Play for Today) / Antony and Cleopatra / "Athol Fugard" (2nd House)Miss Nightingale / Hedda Gabler / Cleopatra / Actress in Hello and Goodbye
Dorothy TutinSouth RidingSarah Burton
**1976
(22nd)
**
Annette Crosbie*Edward the Seventh*Queen Victoria
Francesca AnnisMadame BovaryEmma Bovary
Virginia McKennaCheap in AugustMary Watson
Helen RyanEdward the SeventhQueen Alexandra
**1977
(23rd)
**
Siân PhillipsHow Green Was My Valley / *I, Claudius*Beth Morgan / Livia
Julie CovingtonRock FolliesDevonia "Dee" Rhoades
Penelope KeithPrivate LivesAmanda Prynne
Gemma JonesThe Duchess of Duke StreetLouisa Trotter
**1978
(24th)
**
Penelope Keith*The Norman Conquests*Sarah
Geraldine JamesDummySandra X
Jane LapotaireMarie Curie / The ReturnMarie Curie / Bridget Ritsin
Susan LittlerSpend, Spend, SpendVivian Nicholson
**1979
(25th)
**
Francesca Annis*Lillie*Lillie Langtry
Peggy AshcroftEdward and Mrs. Simpson / Hullabaloo Over Georgie and Bonnie's PicturesQueen Mary / Lady G
Cheryl CampbellPennies from HeavenEileen
Cynthia HarrisEdward and Mrs. SimpsonWallis Simpson

1980s

YearActorProjectRole(s)Ref.
**1980
(26th)
**
Cheryl CampbellTestament of Youth / Malice Aforethought / *The Duke of Wellington*Vera Brittain / Madeleine Cranmere / The Duchess of Wellington
Judi DenchOn Giant's ShouldersHazel Wiles
Kate NelliganMeasure for MeasureIsabella
Beryl ReidTinker Tailor Soldier SpyConnie Sachs
**1981
(27th)
**
Peggy AshcroftCream in My Coffee / *Caught on a Train*Jean Wilsher / Frau Messner
Celia JohnsonStaying OnLucy Smalley
Kate NelliganDreams of Leaving / Thérèse Raquin / Forgive Our Foolish WaysCaroline / Thérèse Raquin / Vivien Lanyon
Pamela StephensonNot the Nine O'Clock NewsVarious Roles
**1982
(28th)
**
Judi DenchGoing Gently / A Fine Romance / *The Cherry Orchard*Sister Scarli / Laura Dalton / Madame Ranevskaya
Claire BloomBrideshead RevisitedLady Marchmain
Celia JohnsonThe Potting ShedMrs. Callifer
Diana QuickBrideshead RevisitedJulia Flyte
**1983
(29th)
**
Beryl Reid*Smiley's People*Connie Sachs
Jane AsherA Voyage Round My Father / Love Is Old, Love Is NewElizabeth / Katha
Maureen LipmanOutside Edge / Rolling HomeMaggie / Val
Julie WaltersBoys from the Blackstuff / Say Something HappenedAngie Todd / June Potter
**1984
(30th)
**
Coral Browne*An Englishman Abroad*Herself
Blair BrownKennedyJacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Judi DenchSaigon: Year of the CatBarbara Dean
Maggie SmithMrs. SillyMrs. Silly
**1985
(31st)
**
Peggy Ashcroft*The Jewel in the Crown*Barbara Batchelor
Geraldine JamesThe Jewel in the CrownSarah Layton
Judy ParfittMildred Layton
Susan WooldridgeDaphne Manners
**1986
(32nd)
**
Claire Bloom*Shadowlands*Joy Gersham
Frances de la TourDuet for OneStephanie Anderson
Mary SteenburgenTender Is the NightNicole Warren Diver
Joanne WhalleyEdge of DarknessEmma Craven
**1987
(33rd)
**
Anna Massey*Hotel du Lac*Edith Hope
Joan HicksonMiss Marple: The Murder at the VicarageMiss Marple
Wendy HillerAll Passion SpentLady Slane
Patricia HodgeHotel du LacMonica
Alison SteadmanThe Singing DetectiveMrs. Marlow
Julie T. WallaceThe Life and Loves of a She-DevilRuth
**1988
(34th)
**
Emma ThompsonFortunes of War / *Tutti Frutti*Harriet Pringle / Suzi Kettles
Jean AlexanderCoronation StreetHilda Ogden
Joan HicksonMiss Marple: NemesisMiss Marple
Miranda RichardsonAfter PilkingtonPenny "Patch" Newhouse
**1989
(35th)
**
Thora Hird*Talking Heads: A Cream Cracker Under The Settee*Doris
Jane LapotaireBlind JusticeKatherine Hughes
Patricia RoutledgeTalking Heads: A Lady of LettersIrene Ruddock
Maggie SmithTalking Heads: Bed Among the LentilsSusan

1990s

YearActorsWorkCharacterNetwork
**1990
(36th)
**
Diana Rigg*Mother Love*Helena VeseyBBC One
Peggy AshcroftShe's Been AwayLillian HuckleBBC One
Judi DenchBehaving BadlyBridget MayorChannel 4
Gwen TaylorA Bit of a DoRita SimcockITV
**1991
(37th)
**
Geraldine McEwan*Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit*MotherBBC Two
Susannah HarkerHouse of CardsMattie StorinBBC
Emily AstonOranges Are Not the Only FruitSmall JessBBC Two
Charlotte ColemanJess
**1992
(38th)
**
Helen Mirren*Prime Suspect*Jane TennisonITV
Lindsay DuncanG.B.H.Barbara DouglasChannel 4
Zoe WanamakerPrime SuspectMoyra HensonITV
Prunella ScalesA Question of AttributionH.M.Q.BBC One
**1993
(39th)
**
Helen Mirren*Prime Suspect 2*Jane TennisonITV
Maggie SmithMemento MoriMrs. Mabel PettigrewBBC Two
Juliet StevensonA Doll's HouseNora Helmer
Zoe WanamakerLove HurtsTessa PiggottBBC One
**1994
(40th)
**
Helen Mirren*Prime Suspect 3*Jane TennisonITV
Olympia DukakisArmistead Maupins Tales of the CityAnna MadrigalChannel 4
Siobhan RedmondBetween the LinesMaureen "Mo" ConnellBBC One
Julie WaltersWide-Eyed and LeglessDiana Longden
**1995
(41st)
**
Juliet Aubrey*Middlemarch*Dorothea BrookeBBC Two
Siobhan RedmondBetween the LinesMaureen "Mo" ConnellBBC One
Victoria WoodPat and MargaretMargaret Mottershead
Geraldine SomervilleCrackerJane PenhaligonITV
**1996
(42nd)
**
Jennifer Ehle*Pride and Prejudice*Elizabeth BennetBBC One
Helen MirrenPrime Suspect 4Jane TennisonITV
Geraldine JamesBand of GoldRosemary "Rose" Garrity
Juliet StevensonThe Politician's WifeFlora MatlockChannel 4
**1997
(43rd)
**
Gina McKee*Our Friends in the North*Mary SoulsbyBBC Two
Helen MirrenPrime Suspect 5Jane TennisonITV
Alex KingstonThe Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll FlandersMoll Flanders
Pauline QuirkeThe SculptressOlive MartinBBC
**1998
(44th)
**
Daniela Nardini*This Life*Anna ForbesBBC Two
Francesca AnnisRecklessAnna FairleyITV
Kathy BurkeTom JonesHonourBBC One
Miranda RichardsonA Dance to the Music of TimePamela FlittonChannel 4
**1999
(45th)
**
Thora Hird*Talking Heads: Waiting For The Telegram*VioletBBC Two
Francesca AnnisRecklessAnna FairleyITV
Natasha LittleVanity FairBecky SharpBBC
Joanna LumleyA Rather English MarriageLiz Franks

2000s

YearActorsWorkCharacterNetwork
**2000
(46th)
**
Thora Hird*Lost for Words*Annie LongdenITV
Francesca AnnisWives and DaughtersHyacinth GibsonBBC One
Maggie SmithDavid CopperfieldBetsey Trotwood
Lindsay DuncanShooting the PastMarilyn TrumanBBC Two
**2001
(47th)
**
Judi Dench*The Last of the Blonde Bombshells*Elizabeth GoldBBC
Amanda RedmanAt Home with the BraithwaitesAlison BraithwaiteITV
Fay RipleyCold FeetJenny Gifford
Alison SteadmanFat FriendsBetty Simpson
Geraldine JamesThe SinsGloria GreenBBC One
**2002
(48th)
**
Julie Walters*My Beautiful Son*Sheila FitzpatrickITV
Lindsay DuncanPerfect StrangersAlice HagertyBBC Two
Sheila HancockThe Russian BrideDora BlossomITV
Lesley SharpBob & RoseRose Cooper
**2003
(49th)
**
Julie Walters*Murder*Angela MaurerBBC Two
Sheila HancockBedtimeAlice OldfieldBBC One
Jessica HynesTomorrow La Scala!Victoria StevensonBBC Two
Vanessa RedgraveThe Gathering StormClementine ChurchillBBC
**2004
(50th)
**
Julie Walters*The Canterbury Tales*Beth CraddockBBC One
Helen MirrenPrime Suspect 6: The Last WitnessJane TennisonITV
Gina McKeeThe Lost PrinceCharlotte BillBBC One
Miranda RichardsonQueen Mary
**2005
(51st)
**
Anamaria Marinca*Sex Traffic*Elena VisinescuChannel 4
Brenda BlethynBelongingJess CopleITV
Anne-Marie DuffShamelessFiona GallagherChannel 4
Lia WilliamsMay 33rdElla WilsonBBC One
**2006
(52nd)
**
Anna Maxwell Martin*Bleak House*Esther SummersonBBC One
Anne-Marie DuffShamelessFiona GallagherChannel 4
Lucy CohuThe Queen's SisterPrincess Margaret
Gillian AndersonBleak HouseLady DedlockBBC One
**2007
(53rd)
**
Victoria Wood*Housewife, 49*Nella LastITV
Anne-Marie DuffThe Virgin QueenElizabeth IBBC One
Ruth WilsonJane EyreJane Eyre
Samantha MortonLongfordMyra HindleyChannel 4
**2008
(54th)
**
Eileen Atkins*Cranford*Deborah JenkynsBBC One
Kierston WareingIt's a Free World...AngelaChannel 4
Gina McKeeThe StreetJan ParrBBC One
Judi DenchCranfordMatilda "Matty" Jenkyns
**2009
(55th)
**
Anna Maxwell Martin*Poppy Shakespeare*NChannel 4
June BrownEastEndersDot CottonBBC One
Maxine PeakeHancock and JoanJoan Le MesurierBBC Four
Andrea RiseboroughMargaret Thatcher: The Long Walk to FinchleyMargaret Thatcher

2010s

YearActorsWorkCharacterNetwork
**2010
(56th)
**
Julie Walters*Mo*Mo MowlamChannel 4
Helena Bonham CarterEnidEnid BlytonBBC Four
Sophie OkonedoMrs. MandelaWinnie Mandela
Julie WaltersA Short Stay in SwitzerlandDr. Anne TurnerBBC One
**2011
(57th)
**
Vicky McClure*This Is England '86*Lorraine "Lol" JenkinsChannel 4
Anna Maxwell MartinSouth RidingSarah BurtonBBC One
Natalie PressFive DaughtersPaula Clennell
Juliet StevensonAccusedHelen Ryland
**2012
(58th)
**
Emily Watson*Appropriate Adult*Janet LeachITV
Romola GaraiThe Crimson Petal and the WhiteSugarBBC Two
Vicky McClureThis Is England '88Lorranie "Lol" JenkinsChannel 4
Nadine MarshallRandomSister
**2013
(59th)
**
Sheridan Smith*Mrs Biggs*Charmian BiggsITV
Rebecca HallParade's EndSylvia TietjensBBC Two
Sienna MillerThe GirlTippi Hedren
Anne ReidLast Tango in HalifaxCelia DawsonBBC One
**2014
(60th)
**
Olivia Colman*Broadchurch*Ellie MillerITV
Helena Bonham CarterBurton & TaylorElizabeth TaylorBBC Four
Kerrie HayesThe MillEsther PriceChannel 4
Maxine PeakeThe VillageGrace MiddletonBBC One
**2015
(61st)
**
Georgina Campbell*Murdered by My Boyfriend*Ashley JonesBBC Three
Keeley HawesLine of DutyLindsay DentonBBC Two
Sarah LancashireHappy ValleyCatherine CawoodBBC One
Sheridan SmithCillaCilla BlackITV
**2016
(62nd)
**
Suranne Jones*Doctor Foster*Gemma FosterBBC One
Claire FoyWolf HallAnne BoleynBBC Two
Sheridan SmithThe C-WordLisa LynchBBC One
Ruth MadeleyDon't Take My BabyAnna HowardBBC Three
**2017
(63rd)
**
Sarah Lancashire*Happy Valley*Catherine CawoodBBC One
Nikki Amuka-BirdNWNatalie BlakeBBC Two
Claire FoyThe CrownQueen Elizabeth IINetflix
Jodie ComerThirteenIvy MoxamBBC Three / BBC 2
**2018
(64th)
**
Molly Windsor*Three Girls*Holly WinshawBBC One
Claire FoyThe CrownQueen Elizabeth IINetflix
Sinead KeenanLittle Boy BlueMelanie JonesITV
Thandie NewtonLine of DutyRoseanne "Roz" HuntleyBBC Two
**2019
(65th)
**
Jodie Comer*Killing Eve*Villanelle / Oksana AstankovaBBC One
Keeley HawesBodyguardJulia MontagueBBC One
Sandra OhKilling EveEve Polastri
Ruth WilsonMrs WilsonAlison Wilson

2020s

YearActorsWorkCharacterNetwork
**2020
(66th)
**
Glenda Jackson*Elizabeth is Missing*Maud HorshamBBC One
Samantha MortonI Am KirstyKirstyChannel 4
Jodie ComerKilling EveVillanelle / Oksana AstankovaBBC One
Suranne JonesGentleman JackAnne ListerHBO/BBC One
**2021
(67th)
**
Michaela Coel*I May Destroy You*Arabella EssieduBBC One
Daisy Edgar-JonesNormal PeopleMarianne SheridanBBC Three
Billie PiperI Hate SuzieSuzie PicklesSky Atlantic
Hayley SquiresAdult MaterialHayley Burrows / Jolene DollarChannel 4
Jodie ComerKilling EveVillanelle / Oksana AstankovaBBC One
Letitia Wright Small Axe: MangroveAltheia Jones-LeCointe
**2022
(68th)
**
Jodie Comer*Help*SarahChannel 4
Kate WinsletMare of EasttownMarianne "Mare" SheehanSky Atlantic
Lydia WestIt's a SinJill BaxterChannel 4
Niamh AlgarDeceitSadie Byrne / Lizzie James
Emily WatsonToo CloseDr. Emma RobertsonITV
Denise GoughConnie Mortensen
**2023
(69th)**
Kate Winslet*I Am... Ruth*RuthChannel 4
Sarah LancashireJuliaJulia ChildHBO / Sky Atlantic
Vicky McClureWithout SinStella TomlinsonITVX
Maxine PeakeAnneAnne WilliamsITV
Billie PiperI Hate Suzie TooSuzie PicklesSky Atlantic
Imelda StauntonThe CrownQueen Elizabeth IINetflix
**2024
(70th)**
Sarah Lancashire*Happy Valley*Sgt Catherine CawoodBBC One
Anjana VasanBlack Mirror: "Demon 79"Nida HuqNetflix
Anne ReidThe Sixth CommandmentAnn Moore-MartinBBC One
Sharon HorganBest InterestsNicci
Bella RamseyThe Last of UsEllieSky Atlantic
Helena Bonham CarterNollyNoele GordonITVX
**2025
(71st)**
Marisa Abela Industry Yasmin Kara-Hanani HBO / BBC One
Sharon D. ClarkeMr LovermanCarmel WalkerBBC One
Monica DolanMr Bates vs The Post OfficeJo HamiltonITV1
Anna Maxwell MartinUntil I Kill YouDelia BalmerITV1
Lola PetticrewSay NothingDolours PriceFX on Hulu
Billie PiperScoopSam McAlisterNetflix

Superlatives

RecordActressProgrammeAge (in years)
Oldest winnerThora HirdLost for Words89
Oldest nominee
Youngest winnerMolly WindsorThree Girls20
Youngest nominee

Actresses with multiple wins and nominations

Multiple wins

The following people have been awarded the British Academy Television Award for Actress multiple times: 4 wins

  • Julie Walters

3 wins

  • Judi Dench
  • Thora Hird
  • Helen Mirren 2 wins
  • Peggy Ashcroft
  • Jodie Comer
  • Annette Crosbie
  • Catherine Lacey
  • Sarah Lancashire
  • Anna Maxwell Martin
  • Gwen Watford
  • Billie Whitelaw

Multiple nominations

The following people have been nominated for the British Academy Television Award for Actress multiple times: 7 nominations

  • Judi Dench
  • Julie Walters

6 nominations

  • Francesca Annis
  • Helen Mirren

5 nominations

  • Jodie Comer

4 nominations

  • Peggy Ashcroft
  • Geraldine James
  • Sarah Lancashire
  • Anna Maxwell Martin
  • Maggie Smith

3 nominations

  • Helena Bonham Carter
  • Anne-Marie Duff
  • Lindsay Duncan
  • Claire Foy
  • Thora Hird
  • Glenda Jackson
  • Celia Johnson
  • Gemma Jones
  • Rosemary Leach
  • Vicky McClure
  • Gina McKee
  • Maxine Peake
  • Billie Piper
  • Miranda Richardson
  • Sheridan Smith
  • Juliet Stevenson
  • Gwen Watford
  • Billie Whitelaw

2 nominations

  • Eileen Atkins
  • Claire Bloom
  • Cheryl Campbell
  • Annette Crosbie
  • Keeley Hawes
  • Joan Hickson
  • Suranne Jones
  • Penelope Keith
  • Catherine Lacey
  • Jane Lapotaire
  • Virginia McKenna
  • Samantha Morton
  • Kate Nelligan
  • Vanessa Redgrave
  • Anne Reid
  • Alison Steadman
  • Dorothy Tutin
  • Zoe Wanamaker
  • Emily Watson
  • Ruth Wilson
  • Kate Winslet
  • Victoria Wood

Note: Julie Walters' two mentions in 2010, count as two separate nominations.

References

References

  1. "Television - 1995". British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).
  2. "Television - 2020". British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).
  3. (2021-04-28). "BAFTA TV 2021: Nominations for the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards and British Academy Television Craft Awards".
  4. (30 March 2022). "Bafta TV awards 2022: full list of nominations".
  5. Ritman, Alex. (22 March 2023). "BAFTA TV Awards: 'This is Going to Hurt,' 'The Responder' Lead Pack of Nominees". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
  6. (14 May 2023). "Bafta TV awards 2023: the full list of winners". Guardian.
  7. (20 March 2024). "BAFTA TV Awards 2024: Nominations".
  8. (27 March 2025). "BAFTA TV Awards: ‘Baby Reindeer’ Leads Noms With Eight, ‘Rivals,’ ‘Slow Horses’ Earn Six Each".
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