2026 Nominees

James Nelson-Joyce, This City Is Ours

Left Bank Pictures, BBC

UK

- Best Performance in a Drama

James Nelson-Joyce delivers a powerful and nuanced performance in his first leading role in THIS CITY IS OURS. Through Stephen Butchard’s expertly crafted script, James brings to life the complex character of Michael Kavanagh – a man caught between two worlds. He skilfully balances the different sides of Michael: both endearing and sensitive (with excellent on-screen chemistry opposite co-star Hannah Onslow), as well as being unpredictable, menacing and capable of sudden violence. The result is a layered, compelling figure that audiences are fully invested in. The chance to lead this series holds real meaning for James. During drama school, he was advised to lose his Liverpudlian accent if he wanted to find work. But instead, he leaned into it and – after an eight-month audition process – he landed the role of Michael. James is vocal about the importance of representation, reminding us that when diverse voices are missing, important stories go untold.