British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Series

The British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Series is one of the major categories of the British Academy Television Awards (BAFTAs), the primary awards ceremony of the British television industry. The category is described on the official BAFTA website as being open a drama series "of between two and 19 episodes, that is intended to return."[1]

British Academy Television Award
CountryUnited Kingdom
Presented byBritish Academy of Film and Television Arts
First awarded1992
Currently held byTop Boy (2024)
Websitehttp://www.bafta.org/

The category has been through several name and category changes:

  • From 1958 to 1972 the award was presented usually individually under the name "Best Drama Production".
  • Also during the same period another category was awarded briefly as "Best Drama Series" from 1964 to 1970.
  • Then from 1970 to 1991 it was joined with drama serials into a category named "Best Drama Series or Serial" with the exception of the years 87, 88 and 89 where it was awarded just as "Best Drama Series".

From 1992 onwards,[2] the category was split in two, with a separate Best Drama Serial category also established.

Inspector Morse, Cracker, The Cops, The Street and Happy Valley have all won the category twice, all except the last in successive years.

Winners and nominees

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1950s

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Best Drama Production

YearRecipient(s)
1958Rudolph Cartier
1959Silvio Narizzano

1960s

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Best Drama Production

YearRecipient(s)Title
1960William Kotcheff
1961Peter Dews
1962Andrew Osborn
1963David Rose, Charles Jarrott
1964John Jacobs
1965Philip Saville
1966Peter HammondThe Count of Monte Cristo
Contract To Kill
Hereward The Wake
I Took My World Away
Ambrose
Cyril CokeCrime and Punishment
The Rules of the Game
Four of Hearts
Charles JarrottCaptain Carvallo
The Big Breaker
The Young Elizabeth
The Tea Party
Production TeamThe Wars of the Roses
1967Ken Loach
1968Ken Loach
1969Anthony PageParachute

Best Drama Series

YearRecipient(s)Title
1964Philip Mackie
1965Rex Firkin
1966Philip Mackie, Silvio NarizzanoParis 1900
The Changeling
Women Beware Women
The Old Boys, The Babysitter
Peter Graham ScottMogul
Memory of October
The Campaign
Redcap
Danger Man
Stella RichmanMissing Believe Killed
Hidden Truth: One of the Hampshire Pargeters
Take Care of Madam, Kill Me!
Ralph SmartDanger Man
1967Peter Graham Scott

1970s

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Best Drama Production

YearTitleRecipient(s)
1970The Letter
Nora
You've Made Your Bed Now Lie On It
Christopher Morahan
RembrandtRudolph Cartier
A Voyage Round My FatherClaude Whatham
1971The LieAlan Bridges
CallanReginald Collin
Mad JackJack Gold
The Roads To FreedomJames Cellan Jones
The Six Wives Of Henry VIIIRonald Travers, Mark Shivas
The Six Wives Of Henry VIII: Catherine Of AragonJohn Glenister
1972Edna, The Inebriate WomanTed Kotcheff
Cider With RosieClaude Whatham
Eyeless In GazaJames Cellan Jones
The Snow GoosePatrick Garland
Upstairs, Downstairs (for "Episode 1")John Hawkesworth

Best Drama Series

YearTitleRecipient(s)
1970W Somerset Maugham SeriesVerity Lambert
CallanReginald Collin
The Gold RobbersJohn Hawkesworth

Best Drama Series or Serial

YearTitleRecipient(s)
1973Country MattersDerek Granger
Upstairs, DownstairsJohn Hawkesworth
ColditzGerard Glaister
1974Upstairs, DownstairsJohn Hawkesworth
Country MattersDerek Granger
The Onedin LinePeter Graham Scott
Wessex TalesIrene Shubik
1975South RidingJames Ormerod
JennieJames Cellan Jones
Shoulder to ShoulderVerity Lambert
Upstairs, DownstairsJohn Hawkesworth
1976Edward VIICecil Clarke, John Gorrie
Day of HopeTony Garnett, Ken Loach
The SweeneyTed Childs
Upstairs, DownstairsJohn Hawkesworth
1977Rock FolliesAndrew Brown
The Duchess of Duke StreetJohn Hawkesworth
The Glittering PrizesMark Shivas
I, ClaudiusMartin Lisemore, Herbert Wise
When the Boat Comes InLeonard Lewis
1978Marie CuriePeter Goodchild, John Glenister
Hard TimesPeter Eckersley, John Irvin
The Norman ConquestsVerity Lambert, Herbert Wise
When the Boat Comes InAndrew Osborn
1979Edward and Mrs SimpsonAndrew Brown, Waris Hussein
All Creatures Great And SmallBill Sellars
LillieJack Williams
Pennies From HeavenKenith Trodd, Piers Haggard

1980s

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Best Drama Series or Serial

YearTitleRecipient(s)Broadcaster
1980Testament of YouthJonathan Powell, Moira ArmstrongBBC Two
Rumpole of the BaileyJacqueline DavisITV
Telford's ChangeMark Shivas, Barry DavisBBC One
Tinker Tailor Soldier SpyJonathan Powell, John IrvinBBC Two
1981OppenheimerPeter Goodchild, Barry DavisBBC Two
ShoestringRobert Banks StewartBBC One
To Serve Them All My DaysKen Riddington
Therese RaquinJonathan Powell, Simon LangtonBBC Two
1982Brideshead RevisitedDerek Granger, Charles Sturridge, Michael Lindsay-HoggITV
The History ManMichael Wearing, Robert KnightsBBC Two
Private SchulzPhilip Hinchcliffe, Robert Chetwyn
Winston Churchill: The Wilderness YearsRichard Broke, Ferdinand FairfaxITV
1983Boys from the BlackstuffMichael Wearing, Philip SavilleBBC Two
MinderLloyd Shirley, George TaylorITV
The Barchester ChroniclesJonathan Powell, David GilesBBC Two
Smiley's PeopleJonathan Powell, Simon Langton
1984KennedyAndrew Brown, Jim GoddardITV
Rumpole of the BaileyJacqueline DavisITV
Auf Wiedersehen, PetMartin McKeand
WidowsLinda Agran, Ian Toynton
1985The Jewel in the CrownChristopher Morahan, Jim O'BrienITV
TenkoKen RiddingtonBBC One
MinderLloyd Shirley, George TaylorITV
Auf Wiedersehen, PetMartin McKeand
1986Edge of DarknessMichael Wearing, Martin CampbellBBC Two
MinderLloyd Shirley, George TaylorITV
Bleak HouseJohn Harris, Betty Willingale, Ross DevenishBBC Two
The PriceMark Shivas, Peter SmithChannel 4

Best Drama Series

YearTitleRecipient(s)Broadcaster
1987The Life and Loves of a She-DevilSally Head, Philip SavilleBBC Two
All Passion SpentColin Rogers, Martyn FriendBBC
The Monocled MutineerRichard Broke, Jim O'BrienBBC One
The Singing DetectiveKenith Trodd, John Harris, Jon Amiel
Paradise PostponedJacqueline Davis, Alvin RakoffITV
A Very Peculiar PracticeKen Riddington, David TuckerBBC Two
1988Tutti FruttiAndy Park, Tony SmithBBC Scotland
Fortunes of WarBetty Willingale, James Cellan JonesBBC One
Porterhouse BlueBrian Eastman, Robert KnightsChannel 4
A Perfect SpyColin Rogers, Peter SmithBBC Two
1989A Very British CoupAlan Plater, Anne Skinner, Sally Hibbin, Mick JacksonChannel 4
Blind JusticePeter Flannery, Michael Wearing, Robert Walker, Michael WhyteBBC One
Talking HeadsAlan Bennett, Innes Lloyd
Rumpole of the BaileyJohn Mortimer, Jacqueline DavisITV

1990s

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Best Drama Series or Serial

YearTitleRecipient(s)Broadcaster
1990TraffikSimon Moore, Brian Eastman, Alastair ReidChannel 4
Inspector MorseChris BurtITV
Summer's LeaseJohn Mortimer, Colin Rogers, Martyn FriendBBC Two
Mother LoveAndrew Davies, Ken Riddington, Simon LangtonBBC One
1991Oranges Are Not the Only FruitJeanette Winterson, Phillippa Giles, Beeban KidronBBC Two
Agatha Christie's PoirotBrian EastmanITV
Inspector MorseDavid Lascelles
House of CardsAndrew Davies, Ken Riddington, Paul SeedBBC

Best Drama Series

YearTitleRecipient(s)Production companyBroadcaster
1992Inspector MorseDavid Lascelles, Viscount LascellesCentral Independent TelevisionITV
Agatha Christie's PoirotBrian EastmanLondon Weekend TelevisionITV
CasualtyGeraint MorrisBBC BristolBBC One
SpenderMartin McKeandBBC Television
1993Inspector MorseDeirdre KerrCentral Independent TelevisionITV
Between the LinesPeter NorrisWorld ProductionsBBC One
CasualtyGerraint MorrisBBC Bristol
Jeeves and WoosterClive Exton, Brian Eastman, Ferdinand FairfaxCarnival FilmsITV
1994Between the LinesPeter NorrisWorld ProductionsBBC One
CrackerGub Neal, Jimmy McGovernGranada TelevisionITV
CasualtyGerraint Morris, Michael FergusonBBC BristolBBC One
The Riff Raff ElementLiz Trubridge, Simon Cellan Jones, Jeremy Ancock, Debbie HorsfieldBBC Television
1995CrackerPaul AbbottGranada TelevisionITV
The BillMichael ChapmanThames TelevisionITV
SharpeSimon Lewis, Tom CleggCentral Independent Television
Common As MuckJohn Chapman, William IvoryBBC TelevisionBBC One
1996CrackerHilary Bevan JonesGranada TelevisionITV
Preston FrontChris Griffin, Tim FirthBBC TelevisionBBC One
Prime SuspectPaul MarcusGranada TelevisionITV
A Touch of FrostDon LeaverYorkshire Television
1997EastEndersCorinne Hollingworth, Jane HarrisBBC TelevisionBBC One
This LifeJane FallonWorld ProductionsBBC Two
BallykissangelJoy LaleBBC Northern IrelandBBC One
Hamish MacbethDeidre KerrSkyline Films, Zenith Entertainment Ltd.
1998Jonathan CreekSusan Belbin, Sandy Johnson, Marcus Mortimer, David RenwickBBC TelevisionBBC One
Touching EvilJane Featherstone, Paul AbbottAnglia TelevisionITV
Common As MuckCatherine Wearing, Metin Hüseyin, William IvoryBBC TelevisionBBC One
Wing and a PrayerJacinta Peel, Richard Laxton, Robin Sheppard, Matthew HallThames TelevisionChannel 5
1999The CopsEric Coulter, Harry Bradbeer, Alrick RileyWorld ProductionsBBC Two
Jonathan CreekVerity Lambert, Keith Washington, David Renwick, Sandy JohnsonBBC TelevisionBBC One
Playing the FieldGreg Brenman, Catherine Morshead, Paul Seed, Kay MellorTiger Aspect Productions
Undercover HeartJane Fallon, John Strickland, Richard Signy, Peter BowkerBBC Television

2000s

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YearTitleRecipient(s)Production companyBroadcaster
2000The CopsWorld ProductionsBBC Two
Cold FeetChristine Langan, Mike BullenGranada TelevisionITV
Playing the FieldGreg Brenman, Hugh Warren, Kay MellorTiger Aspect ProductionsBBC One
PsychosKudos Film & TelevisionChannel 4
2001Clocking OffNicola Shindler, Ann Harrison-Baxter, Paul AbbottRed Production CompanyBBC One
The CopsWorld ProductionsBBC Two
Fat FriendsKay Mellor, Gareth MorganRollem Productions, Tiger Aspect Productions, Yorkshire TelevisionITV
The SinsLiza Marshall, William IvoryBBC TelevisionBBC One
2002Cold FeetAndy Harries, Spencer Campbell, Mike BullenGranada TelevisionITV
Clocking OffNicola Shindler, Juliet Charlesworth, Paul AbbottRed Production CompanyBBC One
At Home with the BraithwaitesCarolyn Reynolds, Jacky Stoller, Sally WainrightYorkshire TelevisionITV
Tales from Pleasure BeachMadonna Baptiste, Edmund Coulthard, Roger WilliamsBlast! Film ProductionsBBC Two
2003SpooksKudos Film & TelevisionBBC One
TeachersJane Fallon, Rhonda SmithTiger Aspect ProductionsChannel 4
Clocking OffRed Production CompanyBBC One
Cutting ItDebbie Horsfield, Diederick Santer, Andy De EmmonyBBC Television
2004BuriedWorld ProductionsChannel 4
Clocking OffRed Production CompanyBBC One
Foyle's WarGreenlit ProductionsITV
William and MaryTrevor Hopkins, Stuart Orme, Mick FordMeridian Broadcasting
2005ShamelessCompany PicturesChannel 4
SpooksJane Featherstone, Simon Crawford Collins, Andrew WoodheadKudos Film & TelevisionBBC One
BodiesMark Redhead, Sue de Beauvoir, Jed MercurioHat Trick ProductionsBBC Three
ConvictionRed Production Team
2006Doctor WhoPhil Collinson, Russell T Davies, Julie GardnerBBC WalesBBC One
BodiesMark Redhead, Sue de Beauvoir, Jed MercurioHat Trick ProductionsBBC Three
ShamelessCompany PicturesChannel 4
SpooksKudos Film & TelevisionBBC One
2007The StreetJimmy McGovern, Sita Williams, David Blair, Ken HornGranada ProductionsBBC One
ShamelessCompany PicturesChannel 4
Sugar RushShine Productions
Life on MarsKudos Film & TelevisionBBC One
2008The StreetJimmy McGovern, Sita Williams, Terry McDonough, John ChapmanGranada ProductionsBBC One
RomeJohn Melfi, Anne Thomopoulos, Bruno Heller, Tim Van PattenHBOBBC Two
Life on MarsKudos Film & TelevisionBBC One
SkinsCompany PicturesChannel 4
2009WallanderRichard Cottan, Kenneth Branagh, Philip Martin, Francis HopkinsonLeft Bank Pictures, Yellow Bird, TKBCBBC One
ShamelessPaul Abbott, George Faber, John Griffin, Johann KnobelCompany PicturesChannel 4
Doctor WhoPhil Collinson, Russell T Davies, Julie Gardner, Susie LiggatBBC WalesBBC One
SpooksKudos Film & Television

2010s

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YearTitleRecipient(s)Production companyBroadcaster
2010MisfitsClerkenwell FilmsE4
Being HumanToby WhithouseTouchpaper TelevisionBBC Three
SpooksKudos Film & TelevisionBBC One
The StreetJimmy McGovern, Sita Williams, Roxy Spencer, David BlairGranada Television
2011SherlockSteven Moffat, Mark Gatiss, Sue Vertue, Beryl VertueHartswood Films, BBC WalesBBC One
Being HumanRob Pursey, Philip Trethowan, Toby Whithouse, Colin TeagueTouchpaper TelevisionBBC Three
Downton AbbeyJulian Fellowes, Gareth Neame, Liz Trubridge, Nigel Stafford-ClarkCarnival FilmsITV1
MisfitsMurray Ferguson, Petra Fried, Howard Overman, Kate CroweClerkenwell FilmsE4
2012The FadesJack Thorne, Susan Hogg, Caroline Skinner, Farren BlackburnBBC TelevisionBBC Three
MisfitsMurray Ferguson, Petra Fried, Howard Overman, Matt StrevensClerkenwell FilmsE4
Scott & BaileyRed Production CompanyITV1
SpooksKudos Film & TelevisionBBC One
2013Last Tango in HalifaxSally Wainwright, Nicola Shindler, Karen Lewis, Euros LynBBC TelevisionBBC One
Scott & BaileyRed Production CompanyITV1
Ripper StreetRichard Warlow, Tom Shankland, Stephen Smallwood, Will GouldBBC TelevisionBBC One
SilkHilary Salmon, Peter Moffat, Richard Stokes, Jeremy WebbBBC Television
2014BroadchurchKudos Film & TelevisionITV
Top of the LakeEmile Sherman, Iain Canning, Jane Campion, Philippa CampbellSee-Saw Films, Screen AustraliaBBC Two
The VillageCompany PicturesBBC One
My Mad Fat DiaryTiger Aspect ProductionsE4
2015Happy ValleySally Wainwright, Karen Lewis, Euros Lyn, Nicola ShindlerRed Production CompanyBBC One
Line of DutyJed Mercurio, Simon Heath, Peter Norris, Douglas MackinnonWorld ProductionsBBC Two
Peaky BlindersTiger Aspect Productions
The MissingCharlie Pattinson, Willow Grylls, Jack Williams, Harry WilliamsNew PicturesBBC One
2016Wolf HallPeter Kosminsky, Peter Straughan, Mark Pybus, Colin CallenderCompany PicturesBBC Two
The Last PanthersJack Thorne, Johan Renck, Peter Carlton, Caroline BenjoWarp FilmsSky Atlantic
HumansChannel 4Channel 4
No OffencePaul Abbott, Martin Carr, Anna Ferguson, Catherine MorsheadAbbottVision
2017Happy ValleySally Wainwright, Karen Lewis, Euros Lyn, Nicola ShindlerRed Production CompanyBBC One
The CrownLeft Bank PicturesNetflix
The DurrellsSid Gentle FilmsITV
War & PeaceThe Weinstein CompanyBBC One
2018Peaky BlindersTiger Aspect ProductionsBBC Two
Line of DutyWorld ProductionsBBC One
The CrownLeft Bank PicturesNetflix
The End of the F***ing WorldClerkenwell FilmsAll 4
2019Killing EveSid Gentle FilmsBBC One
Save MeWorld ProductionsSky Atlantic
BodyguardWorld ProductionsBBC One
InformerJonny Campbell, Rory Haines, Sohrab Noshirvani, Julian StevensNeal Street Productions

2020s

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YearTitleRecipient(s)Production companyBroadcaster
2020The End of the F***ing WorldClerkenwell FilmsChannel 4
The CrownPeter Morgan, Suzanne Mackie, Benjamin Caron, Michael CaseyLeft Bank PicturesNetflix
Gentleman JackSally Wainwright, Faith Penhale, Laura Lankester, Phil CollinsonLookout PointBBC One
Giri/HajiSister PicturesBBC Two
2021
[3]
Save Me TooSimon Heath, Jessica Sykes, Lennie James, Lizzie Rusbridger, Coky Giedroyc, Jim LoachWorld ProductionsSky Atlantic
The CrownPeter Morgan, Suzanne Mackie, Michael Casey, Oona O’Beirn, Andy Stebbing, Martin HarrisonLeft Bank Pictures in association with Sony Pictures TelevisionNetflix
Gangs of LondonGareth Evans, Matt Flannery, Thomas Benski, Jane Featherstone, Lucas Ochoa, Hugh WarrenPulse Films, Sister StudiosSky Atlantic
I Hate SuzieLucy Prebble, Billie Piper, Andrea Dewsbery, Julie Gardner, Georgi Banks-Davies, Anthony NeilsonBad Wolf
2022
[4]
In My SkinKayleigh Llewellyn, Nerys Evans, Molly Manners, Sophie FrancisExpectation EntertainmentBBC Three
UnforgottenMainstreet PicturesITV
Manhunt: The Night StalkerEd Whitmore, Marc Evans, Jo Willett, Evie Bergson-Korn, Philippa BraithwaiteBuffalo Pictures
VigilTom Edge, Simon Heath, Jake Lushington, Angie Daniell, James Strong, Isabelle SiebWorld ProductionsBBC One
2023
[5][6]
Bad SistersSharon Horgan, Dearbhla Walsh, Faye Dorn, Brett Baer, Dave Finkel, Johann KnobelMerman, ABC SignatureApple TV+
The ResponderChris Carey, Laurence Bowen, Tony Schumacher, Tim Mielants, Rebecca Ferguson, Toby BruceDancing LedgeBBC One
SherwoodJames Graham, Lewis Arnold, Rebecca Hodgson, Juliette Howell, Tessa Ross, Harriet SpencerHouse Productions
Somewhere BoyPete Jackson, Petra Fried, Emily Harrison, Gavin O'Grady, Alex WincklerClerkenwell FilmsChannel 4
2024
[7][8]
Top BoyCowboy Films, Easter Partisan, DreamCrew, SpringHill EntertainmentNetflix
Happy ValleySally Wainwright, Sarah Lancashire, Jessica Taylor, Faith Penhale, Will Johnston, Fergus O'BrienLookout Point TVBBC One
The GoldTannadice Pictures
Slow HorsesSee-Saw FilmsApple TV+
  • Note: The series that don't have recipients on the table had Production team credited as the recipients of the award or nomination.

Television Dramas with multiple awards nominations

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Multiple awards

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The following television series have won the British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Series multiple times:

Multiple nominations

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The following television series have been nominated for the British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Series multiple times:

References

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  1. ^ "Rules and Guidelines" (PDF). British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-01-24. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  2. ^ "TV and Craft Winners 1990–1999" (PDF). British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
  3. ^ "BAFTA TV 2021: Nominations for the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards and British Academy Television Craft Awards". www.bafta.org. 2021-04-28. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
  4. ^ "Bafta TV awards 2022: full list of nominations". The Guardian. 30 March 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  5. ^ Ritman, Alex (22 March 2023). "BAFTA TV Awards: 'This is Going to Hurt,' 'The Responder' Lead Pack of Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Bafta TV awards 2023: the full list of winners". Guardian. 14 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  7. ^ Szalai, Georg (March 20, 2024). "BAFTA TV Awards: 'The Crown,' 'Black Mirror' Lead Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  8. ^ "Bafta TV awards 2024: the full list of winners". The Guardian. May 12, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
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