Ncuti Gatwa has been shortlisted for the 2026 BAFTA Scotland Audience Award, recognising his performance in Doctor Who as the long-running sci-fi series enters a significant period of transition.
The Audience Award is the only category in the annual ceremony decided by a public vote. Gatwa, who concluded his tenure as the Doctor in the May 2025 finale ‘The Reality War’, faces competition from five other Scottish performers who have made a significant impact on screens over the past year.
The 2026 shortlist features a mix of established stars and breakout talent from major television and film projects. Joining Gatwa are:
- Julie Wilson Nimmo: Nominated for her work in Balamory, following the confirmed 2026 return of the beloved children’s classic.
- Katie Leung: Recognised for her role in the hit period drama Bridgerton.
- Leah Byrne: Shortlisted for her performance in the crime series Dept. Q.
- Peter Mullan: Nominated for the film I Swear, a project that has already garnered significant critical acclaim this year.
- Stephen Libby: The first Scottish contestant to win The Traitors UK, following his victory in Series 4 which aired in January 2026.
Voting and Ceremony Details
Members of the public have until 4pm on Friday 30 October 2026 to cast their votes for the Audience Award. The winner will be announced during the BAFTA Scotland Awards ceremony, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday 15 November 2026 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central.
While the Audience Award nominees have been revealed early to facilitate public voting, the full list of nominations for the remaining 14 competitive categories will be released on Thursday 1 October 2026.
Status of Doctor Who
The nomination for Gatwa comes at a time of uncertainty for the Doctor Who franchise. Following Gatwa’s departure and the regeneration of the character in 2025, the BBC took the unusual step of putting the series out to competitive tender in June 2026. This process is intended to secure a new production partner for a planned return in 2028 or 2029.
Gatwa’s nomination serves as a final recognition for his era, which saw the Doctor face the high-stakes ‘Reality War’.
In contrast, other nominees represent a period of growth for Scottish production. Stephen Libby’s win on The Traitors marked a milestone for Scottish participants in reality television, while Peter Mullan’s nomination continues a run of awards-circuit success for the veteran actor following the release of I Swear earlier this year.
