The National Television Awards (NTAs) have unveiled an all-female shortlist for the Best Drama Performance category, marking a historic first for the awards. The five nominees selected by public vote are Ella Bruccoleri for her role in The Other Bennet Sister, Ruth Jones for her performance in the Netflix thriller Run Away, Vicky McClure as Lana Washington in Trigger Point, Judy Parfitt for playing Sister Monica Joan in Call The Midwife, and previous winner Sheridan Smith for her portrayal of campaigner Ann Ming in the true crime drama I Fought The Law.
These actresses were chosen from an initial longlist that included prominent male actors such as David Tennant, Gary Oldman, Idris Elba, James Norton, and Tom Hiddleston. A second round of public voting is now open to determine the winners across the NTAs' 15 categories.
Elsewhere in the nominations, Stacey Solomon has secured three nods, including one for Best TV Presenter. She will compete against the long-standing duo Ant & Dec, who had a 23-year winning streak in the category until last year's win by Gary Lineker, as well as Sir David Attenborough, Claudia Winkleman, and Alison Hammond.
In the new award for reality docuseries, Solomon and her partner Joe Swash are nominated alongside boxer Tyson Fury, Jeremy Clarkson, Kelvin Fletcher, and the comedy pairing Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse.
The comedy category includes Mrs Brown's Boys, which recently had its festive specials canceled due to creator Brendan O'Carroll breaking his jaw. Other nominated shows include the Canadian romance Heated Rivalry for Best New Drama and the final series of Strictly Come Dancing hosted by Winkleman and Tess Daly for Best Talent Show.
The NTAs, celebrating British television over the past year, were first established in 1995. Public voting for the winners will continue until midday on September 8, the same day the ceremony will take place. Comedian Joel Dommett is set to host the event live from London's O2 arena and will be broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX starting at 8:00 PM BST.