*NTAs 2021 longlist vote is launched nationwide

*Brand new category: Authored Documentary

Today, 25th May 2021, sees the launch of the National Television Awards longlist, with voting officially opening nationwide.

This year’s ceremony on 9th September 2021 at The O2 London will celebrate a remarkable year in TV that’s been unlike any other.

Viewers now have the power to vote for their favourite stars and shows ahead of that all-important prize-giving ceremony, hosted for the first time by the irresistible Joel Dommett.

TV’s most famous faces got personal in the NTA’s newest category, Authored Documentary, recognising a year of heart-breaking, headline-making films from the likes of GMB’s Kate Garraway who allowed us to see how the pandemic affected her family in Finding Derek, and Marcus Rashford who spearheaded a national campaign in Feeding Britain’s Children.

This category also sees a contest between brothers Rio and Anton Ferdinand for their programmes on stepfamilies and football racism respectively. And can Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne Pinnock follow in the footsteps of her former bandmate Jesy Nelson by winning an NTA?

New TV Drama was expanding the horizons of an audience whose worlds had suddenly become smaller. We were transported back to simpler times in Channel 5’s hit reimagining of All Creatures Great and Small, dazzled by the storytelling skill of Michaela Cole in I May Destroy You, moved to tears by It’s a Sin, and captivated by Connell and Marianne’s relationship in Normal People. And millions of us were glued to true-crime dramatisations such as Des, Quiz, The Serpent, The Pembrokeshire Murders, The Salisbury Poisonings and White House Farm.

This year’s longlist also sees more streamed drama contenders than ever before, with such binged hits as Bridgerton and The Queen’s Gambit both finding favour on Netflix, while Disney+ made a sizeable impact with Star Wars spin-off The Mandalorian and the gleefully inventive WandaVision.

Spitting Image makes the Comedy Category, having been resurrected on Britbox after 24 years away from our screens. Competing for the same award is Staged, which saw David Tennant and Michael Sheen wrestling with video calls and professional jealousies during lockdown, and Netflix hit Emily in Paris.

Established favourites Call the Midwife, Unforgotten and Vera are all vying for votes in the fiercely fought Returning Drama race. But will any series be able to eclipse Line of Duty, which once again became a true television talking point and topped ratings with an audience of 15 million?

AC-12’s lead trio of Adrian Dunbar, Martin Compston and Vicky McClure are all in contention for Drama Performance. They’ll be up against two stars celebrating tenth anniversaries in their respective series: Brenda Blethyn for Vera and Helen George for Call the Midwife. Also in contention is Olly Alexander for It’s a Sin, and Gillian Anderson who transformed herself into Margaret Thatcher for The Crown.

Our favourite Serial Dramas went back into production with some audacious episodes, with Emmerdale offering the impressive spectacle of a wedding-day explosion while Coronation Street broke hearts and sparked debate with the hate-crime attack on Nina and Seb. EastEnders and Hollyoaks are also among the contenders here for the coveted Serial Drama prize.

That sense of innovation extended beyond soapland, with I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! decamping to Wales and Strictly pulling out all the stops to ensure that we were all able to keep dancing throughout winter on a Saturday evening, while also making history as Nicola Adams and Katya Jones become the show’s first same-sex pairing.

Can first-time nominee The Masked Singer or relative newcomer Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK break Strictly Come Dancing’s winning streak in the Talent Show category?

New Quiz Game Show formats kept our brains active, with the likes of Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel and Beat the Chasers becoming instant hits.

And the presenters who’ve guided us through a tumultuous 12 months are also recognised for their services. All corners of the industry are represented, from daytime favourites such as Alison Hammond to prime-time regulars such as Romesh Ranganathan, Michael McIntyre, Jay Blades and current award-holders Ant and Dec. The headline-making Piers Morgan is also in contention after leaving Good Morning Britain in controversial and dramatic style.

TV stars and lucky viewers will all descend on The O2 London on 9th September, when the results will be announced LIVE. And you can be there! Book your seat now at nationaltvawards.com

HOW TO VOTE IN 15 CATEGORIES

Voting is easy – you can vote free online at www.nationaltvawards.com

All votes must be in by 11pm on Friday 4 June 2021

The NTA shortlist will be revealed in August when the final round of voting begins. Winners will be announced at the ceremony on ITV on 9th September 2021 (see full Terms & Conditions at www.nationaltvawards.com) @officialntas

2021 NTA Categories

Challenge Show
New Drama
Talent Show
Authored Documentary
Returning Drama
TV Presenter
Factual
Drama Performance
The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award
Serial Drama
Serial Drama Performance
Quiz Game Show
Newcomer
Daytime
Comedy

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