Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards 2019

Not long to go now. With the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards 2019 around the corner, what better time to get clued up on this most glamourous of evenings?

This year’s ceremony is all set to be a cracker, with the very best shows of the past 12 months going head to head on a night that’s always filled with shocks, surprises and snazzy dressers. Want to know more about the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards? Then read on to learn all about this special celebration of small-screen magic…

What are the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards?

Only the biggest night of the year in the TV calendar! Hosted since 1955 by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, the awards celebrate the very best of British television over the past year (plus there’s an award for Best International Programme). If it got the nation talking during the last 12 months, it’ll be in the running to win a coveted gong.

You can watch the 2019 ceremony live from London’s Royal Festival on BBC One HD (CH 101/108) from 8pm on Sunday 12 May. Whether you watch it in your glad rags with canapés and a drop of bubbly is your call. After Sue Perkins did such a stellar job presenting the ceremony in 2017 and 2018, Graham Norton is back to host the awards for the eleventh time, so expect a sharp suit and even sharper gags from the Irishman.

Get even closer to the action!

Stay bang up to speed with the all the night’s big talking points and more on Twitter, Facebook, and right here on Virgin TV Edit. From exclusive coverage on the red carpet to exclusive backstage interviews with the winners and a competition that could see you attend next year’s event (not to mention plenty more surprises to boot), we’re all over it. You’ll be practically rubbing shoulders with the stars! Plus, find out how one lucky customer and a guest got on after they won tickets to attend this year’s ceremony.

And don’t worry if you miss the show. Just head to Virgin TV Edit on Monday 13 May, as we’ll be bringing you all the highlights from the glitziest night of the year, including a comprehensive list of all the winners (handy for joining in those conversations in the office the next morning).

Which shows have the most nominations this year?

BBC One thriller Killing Eve leads the way with a whopping 14 nominations, including nods for Best Drama and Best Actress for stars Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh. Political drama A Very English Scandal – starring Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw – has 12 nominations, while one of last year’s most talked-about dramas, Bodyguard, has five. Elsewhere, Patrick Melrose, Little Drummer Girl, Mrs Wilson, and Mum are also in the running to pick up awards.

Who were last year’s big winners?

• Peaky Blinders (Best Drama Series)
• Three Girls (Best Mini-series)
• Murdered For Being Different (Best Single Drama)
• Casualty (Best Soap and Continuing Drama)
• Sean Bean in Broken (Best Actor)
• Molly Windsor in Three Girls (Best Actress)
• Brían F O‘Byrne in Little Boy Blue (Best Supporting Actor)
• Vanessa Kirby in The Crown (Best Supporting Actress)
• This Country (Best Scripted Comedy)
• Mother Pilot Whale Grieves in Blue Planet II (Virgin TV’s Must-See Moment)

Let’s get this party started!

The 2019 Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards is all set to be a massive night celebrating the cream of the telly crop. if you needed any more reminding, just look how excited this year’s nominees were when they let down their hair at the official nominees’ party!