Well, there were no nominations for Doctor Who this year in the final cut of the National Television Awards but a number of former actors and showrunners were in the running. The big winner last night was Doctor Foster which garnered the best Drama and Best Dramatic Performance for Suranne Jones. Those Who fans who were paying attention would have noted that Jones portrayed the Doctor’s TARDIS in the popular Matt Smith episode – The Doctor’s Wife. She received her award from the current Doctor, Jodie Whittaker. Jones beat crowd favourite, David Tennant, for his role as Alec Hardy in Broadchurch and former companion Jenna Coleman for Victoria.
National Television Awards, Press Room, O2, London, UK – 23 Jan 2018 – Photo by Anthony Harvey/REX/Shutterstock
Another winner was the third and final season of Broadchurch, which won best Crime Drama, for series creator Chris Chibnall. Chibnall has now moved on as the showrunner for Series 11 of Doctor Who. Broadchurch starred David Tennant and Olivia Colman and featured Jodie Whittaker. Sam Hoyle, Script Executive and Associate/Line Producer, was also present to receive the award for Broadchurch. She is also joining Doctor Who as the co-executive producer for the series.
Other big winners included Ant & Dec, who won their 17th award for Best TV Presenter and the first Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award, and Sir David Attenborough and the team behind Blue Planet II. Blue Planet II has been praised for raising the awareness of plastic pollution in our oceans and seas. The show has impacted British government policy in regards to the use of plastics in the UK.
