Emmerdale won the Serial Drama award at the National Television Awards 2026, securing the final trophy of the evening at The O2 Arena in London. The long-running ITV soap triumphed over fellow nominees Casualty, Coronation Street, EastEnders, and Hollyoaks in the publicly voted category.
Emmerdale Wins Serial Drama at the National Television Awards 2026
The victory brought the September 8, 2026 ceremony to a close, capping off a successful night for the soap according to. Host Joel Dommett joked during the broadcast that it had been a big night for farmers, noting that Clarkson’s Farm also claimed a win earlier in the evening. Actress Teri Hatcher, known for her role in Desperate Housewives, presented the final award of the night.
Winning the Serial Drama category continues a striking pattern for Emmerdale. According to records, the soap previously won the same public-voted National Television Award in 2020, 2022, and 2024, securing the trophy every two years.
Jeff Hordley Wins Serial Drama Performance
Emmerdale’s success at the 2026 ceremony began earlier in the night when Jeff Hordley won the award for Serial Drama Performance for his portrayal of Cain Dingle. Hordley competed against a shortlist that included EastEnders stars Aaron Thiara and Paul Bradley, alongside Coronation Street actors Gareth Pierce and Sue Devaney.
During his acceptance speech reported by, Hordley addressed Cain Dingle’s prostate cancer storyline. He emphasized the importance of using a soap opera platform to raise public awareness and provide vital information to viewers watching at home.
National Television Awards 2026 Ceremony Details
The National Television Awards 2026 took place on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at The O2 Arena in London. Joel Dommett returned as the master of ceremonies for the event, which relies entirely on public votes to determine winners across all categories.
Presenter Teri Hatcher traveled to London for the event ahead of her upcoming West End theater run. According to, she is scheduled to take over the role of Miranda Priestly in the musical production of The Devil Wears Prada starting October 20.
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