My predictions on the Olivier Awards 2026

It’s almost time. The most significant event is nearly here, and I’m here for it. It might have taken a moment to finalise my industry predictions, but as they say, better now than never.

As an international, I find the cultural impact of these events fascinating. Seeing the global community gather at the Royal Albert Hall to celebrate the resilience of live entertainment is always a highlight.

The Olivier Awards mark a historic 50th anniversary this year. The ceremony features milestone performances from Wicked, celebrating 20 years in the West End, alongside the season's breakout hits Paddington and Evita. The Phantom of the Opera is set to open the evening as they mark their 40th anniversary—a testament to the longevity of West End hits.

To celebrate this 50-year legacy, we're evolving our broadcast strategy. This year includes an exciting collaboration with Call to Stage, the podcast hosted by WhatsOnStage Award-winning actress Amber Davies.

Musical Categories

Best New Musical

• Here We Are, book by David Ives, music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim at National Theatre – Lyttelton

• Paddington The Musical, music & lyrics by Tom Fletcher & book by Jessica Swale at Savoy Theatre

• Shucked, book by Robert Horn, music & lyrics by Brandy Clark & Shane McAnally at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

• The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry, book by Rachel Joyce, music & lyrics by Passenger at Theatre Royal Haymarket
  
  What I think will win: Paddington The Musical
  What I hope should win: Paddington The Musical

Best Musical Revival

• American Psycho, book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, music & lyrics by Duncan Sheik, based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis at Almeida Theatre

• Evita, lyrics by Tim Rice, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, at The London Palladium

• Into The Woods, music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim & book by James Lapine at Bridge Theatre

• The Producers, music & lyrics by Mel Brooks, book by Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan at Garrick Theatre
  
  What I think will win: Evita, lyrics by Tim Rice, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, at The London Palladium
  What I hope should win: Into The Woods, music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Lapine at Bridge Theatre

Best Actress in a Musical

• Katie Brayben in Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre

• Danielle Fiamanya & Georgina Onuorah in Brigadoon at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

• Jane Krakowski in Here We Are at National Theatre – Lyttelton

• Jenna Russell in The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry at Theatre Royal Haymarket

• Rachel Zegler in Evita at The London Palladium

  What I think will win: Rachel Zegler in Evita at The London Palladium

  What I hope should win: Jenna Russell in The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry at Theatre Royal Haymarket

Best Actor in a Musical

• Marc Antolin in The Producers at Garrick Theatre

• James Hameed & Arti Shah in Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

• Andy Nyman in The Producers at Garrick Theatre

• Jamie Parker in Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre

• Diego Andres Rodriguez in Evita at The London Palladium
  

  What I think will win: James Hameed & Arti Shah for Paddington—the sheer technical and emotional skill required to bring that bear to life is unmatched.

  What I hope should win: James Hameed & Arti Shah for Paddington—the sheer technical and emotional skill required to bring that bear to life is unmatched.

Best Actress in a supporting role

• Tracie Bennett for Here We Are at National Theatre – Lyttelton

• Amy Booth – Steel for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

• Kate Fleetwood for Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre

• Victoria Hamilton-Barritt for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

• Georgina Onuoroh for Sucked at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
  

  What I think will win: Victoria Hamilton-Barritt for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

  What I hope should win: Victoria Hamilton-Barritt for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

Best Actor in a supporting role

• Trever Ashley for The Producers at Garrick Theatre

• Cordon Bleu for The Great Gatsby – A New Musical at London Coliseum

• Tom Edden for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

• Jo Foster for Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre

• Oliver Savile for Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre
  

  What I think will win: Cordon Bleu for The Great Gatsby – A New Musical at London Coliseum

  What I hope should win: Tom Edden for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

Play Categories

Best New Play

• 1536 by Ava Pickett at Almeida Theatre

• Inter Alia by Suzie Miller at National Theatre – Lyttelton

• Kenrex by Jack Holden & Ed Stambollouian at The Other Palace

• Punch by James Graham at Young Vic & Apollo Theatre
  
  What I think will win: Punch by James Graham at Young Vic & Apollo Theatre

  What I hope should win: Kenrex by Jack Holden & Ed Stambollouian at The Other Palace

Best Actor

• Bryan Cranston in All My Sons at Wyndham's Theatre

• Sean Hayes in Good Night, Oscar at Barbican Theatre

• Tom Hiddleston in Much Ado About Nothing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane

• Jack Holden in Kenrex at The Other Palace

• David Shields in Punch at Young Vic & Apollo Theatre
  
  

  What I think will win: Jack Holden in Kenrex at The Other Palace

  What I hope should win: Jack Holden in Kenrex at The Other Palace

Creative & Technical Awards

Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director

• Jordan Fein for Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre

• Luke Sheppard for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

• Ed Stambollouian for Kenrex at The Other Palac

• Lyndsey Turner for 1536 at Almeida Theatre

• Ivo van Hove for All My Sons at Wyndham's Theatre
  

  What I think will win: Luke Sheppard for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

  What I hope should win: Luke Sheppard for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

Gillian Lynne Award for Best Theatre Choreographer

• Fabian Aloise for Evita at The London Palladium

• Ellen Kane for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

• Drew McOnie for Brigadoon at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

• Lynne Page for American Psycho at Almeida Theatre
  
  What I think will win: Fabian Aloise for Evita at the London Palladium.
  What I hope should win: Drew McOnie for Brigadoon at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Noël Coward Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play

• The Comedy About Spies by Henry Lewis & Henry Shields at Noël Coward Theatre

• Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe at @sohoplace

• Oh, Mary! by Cole Escola at Trafalgar Theatre

• Paranormal Activity by Levi Holloway at Ambassadors Theatre
  
  What I think will win: Oh, Mary! at Trafalgar Theatre
  What I hope should win: Oh, Mary! at Trafalgar Theatre

Best Set Design

• Paul Tate dePoo III (Scenic & Projection Design) for The Great Gatsby at London Coliseum

• Tom Pye (Set Design) & Ash J Woodward (video design) for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

• Tom Scutt for Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre

• David Zinn for Stereophonic at Ambassadors Theatre

  
  What I think will win: Tom Pye & Ash J Woodward for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

  What I hope should win: Tom Pye & Ash J Woodward for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

Best Costume Design

• Enver Chakartash for Stereophonic at Duke of York’s Theatre

• Linda Cho for The Great Gatsby at London Coliseum

• Tom Scutt for Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre

• Gabriella Slade (Costume Desgin) & Tahra Zafar (Paddington Design) for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre
  

  What I think will win: Gabriella Slade & Tahra Zafar for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

  What I hope should win: Gabriella Slade & Tahra Zafar for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

Best Sound Design

• Adam Fisher for Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre

• Gareth Owen for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

• Ryan Rumery for Stereophonic at Duke of York’s Theatre

• Giles Thomas for Kenrex at The Other Palace
  

  What I think will win: Gareth Owen for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

  What I hope should win: Gareth Owen for Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre

Best Lighting Design

• Robbie Butler for Punch at Young Vic & Apollo Theatre

• Jon Clark for Evita at London Palladium

• Aideen Malone (Lighting Design) & Roland Horvath (Video Design) for Into The Woods at Bridge Theatre

• Joshua Pharo for Kenrex at The Other Palace
  

  What I think will win: Jon Clark for Evita at London Palladium

  What I hope should win: Jon Clark for Evita at London Palladium