The BBC has announced the winners of the 2026 Audio Drama Awards, celebrating the very best writing, acting, and production talent. Now in their 15th year, the awards continue to highlight the extraordinary creativity and craft that define audio drama across BBC radio and beyond.

Meet David Sedaris, the much-loved series of comic essays from acclaimed humourist David Sedaris, won Best Stand Up or Sketch Comedy. Chris Cantrill won Best Comedy Performance for Icklewick FM, produced by Benjamin Sutton and Laura Shaw at Daddy’s SuperYacht Productions for BBC Radio 4. Best Sitcom or Comedy Drama went to Lyra by Joe Barnes and Henry Perryment, produced by James Robinson at BBC Studios Audio for BBC Radio 4.

Best Actress was awarded to Gabrielle Creevy (The Guest, Black Doves) for her role as Olive in Astronomers, a space-obsessed prison lifer who goes on the run. Best Actor was won by Malachi Kirby (A Thousand Blows) for his role as Robbie in Secrets and Lies: The Final Touch, the tragic story of twin brothers, both professional footballers, torn apart by family history.

Radio Times presented the inaugural Radio Times’ Readers’ Drama award, voted for by readers from a list chosen by critics. The winning drama was When Maggie Met Larry, from Catherine Bailey Productions, starring Derek Jacobi and Frances Barber.

Alison Hindell, Radio 4 Commissioner for Drama and Fiction, says, “This year’s Audio Drama Awards showcase the sheer breadth of imagination and skill that audio storytellers bring to our audiences. From bold new voices to cherished, long‑running programmes, the winners reflect a medium that continues to evolve while remaining true to its roots as one of the BBC's most celebrated artforms.”

David Sedaris says, “I never win anything so this was worth flying across the Atlantic for.”

Outstanding Contribution

Faith, Hope and Glory by Roy Williams, Winsome Pinnock, Rex Obano, Carol Russell, produced by Pat Cumper, Jessica Dromgoole and Mary Peate, and directed by Anthony Simpson-Pike; a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Radio 4

Special Award

The Archers at 75

Radio Times Readers’ Drama Award

When Maggie Met Larry, made by Catherine Bailey Productions for BBC Radio 4

Runner up: Chicken Burger N Chips, an Unedited production for BBC Radio 4, commissioned as part of the New Makers scheme.

Best Original Single Drama

One Hundred and Fifty Days by Oliver Emanuel, produced by Kirsty Williams at BBC Audio Scotland for BBC Radio 4

Best Adaptation

Kramer versus Kramer by Avery Korman and adapted by Sarah Wooley; produced by Gaynor Macfarlane and Carl Prekopp at BBC Audio Scotland for BBC Radio 4

Special commendation for Saint Joan of the Anthropocene, adapted by Linda Marshall Griffiths from George Bernard Shaw, produced by Nadia Molinari at BBC Studios Audio for BBC Radio 3

Best Original Series or Serial

Life and Time by James Fritz, produced by Tracey Neale at BBC Studios Audio for BBC Radio 4

Best Actress

Gabrielle Creevy in Astronomers, directed by John Norton for BBC Audio Wales & West for BBC Radio 4

Best Actor

Malachi Kirby in Secrets and Lies: The Final Touch, directed by Celia de Wolff at Pier Productions for BBC Radio 4

Best Podcast Audio Drama

Buzz: The Man and the Moon by Stephen Kronish, produced by John Scott Dryden and Emma Hearn at Goldhawk Productions & Thoroughbred Studios for iHeart

Special commendation for Discretion by Chris Brandon and Davy Banks, produced by Claire Broughton and John Wakefield at Hat Trick Productions for BBC Radio 4

Best Comedy Performance

Chris Cantrill in Icklewick FM, produced by Benjamin Sutton and Laura Shaw at Daddy’s SuperYacht Productions for BBC Radio 4

The Marc Beeby Award for Best Debut Performance

Connor Finch in Life and Time, directed by Tracey Neale at BBC Studios Audio for BBC Radio 4

Special commendation for Sofia Oxenham in The English Are Coming, directed by Nicolas Jackson at Afonica for BBC Radio 4

Best Sitcom or Comedy Drama

Lyra by Joe Barnes and Henry Perryment, produced by James Robinson at BBC Studios Audio for BBC Radio 4

Best Stand Up or Sketch Comedy

Meet David Sedaris by David Sedaris, produced by Steve Doherty at Giddy Goat Productions for BBC Radio 4

Best Use of Sound

The Girl of the Sea of Cortez - sound by Adam Woodhams, produced by Nicolas Jackson at Afonica for BBC Radio 4

Best European Drama

Not Born for a War by Anatolii Neiolov, produced by Iryna Korniienko for Radio Kultura, Suspilne, Ukraine

Special commendation for The Pack by Monica Helfer, adapted and directed by Elisabeth Weilenmann, producer Wolfram Höll, ORF Austria

Imison Award

A Tale of Two Trumpets by Sylvia-Anne Parker, produced by Kirsty Williams at BBC Audio Scotland for BBC Radio 4

Tinniswood Award

One Hundred and Fifty Days by Oliver Emanuel, produced by Kirsty Williams at BBC Audio Scotland for BBC Radio 4

David Sedaris Picture Credit: Anne Fishbein