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The British Audio Awards, AKA the Speakies, shortlist revealed for 2026

The winners will be announced in a ceremony hosted by Sally Phillips on Monday 23 November.

Sally Phillips stood in front of a blue backdrop, smiling at the camera.

Karwai Tang/WireImage

Published: Friday, 18 September 2026 at 8:00 am

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The shortlist for the second annual British Audio Awards, also known as the Speakies, has been announced, ahead of the ceremony taking place later this year.

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The awards, which are delivered by The Bookseller and The Stage, feature 18 categories, and are dedicated to celebrating excellence in audiobooks, audio drama and podcasts.

Amongst those nominated in the Best Performance categories are well-known actors such as James McAvoy, Adjoa Andoh, Simon Russell Beale, Steve Toussaint, Mark Gatiss, Clare Perkins and Jason Watkins.

Meanwhile, many of the UK’s biggest books of the past year are nominated including Douglas Stuart’s Booker-longlisted John of John, A Mind of My Own by Kathy Burke, The Long Shoe by Bob Mortimer, Enough Said by Alan Bennett and London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe.

Two new podcast categories have also been added this year, with presenters on the shortlist including Vick Hope, Gemma Cairney, Jack Edwards, David Mitchell, David Suchet and Emilia Fox. Meanwhile, a new category to celebrate Production & Sound Design has also been added.

Philip Jones, editor of The Bookseller and judge for the Speakies, said in a statement: "From Hollywood actors to Booker-winning authors the market for listening goes from strength to strength, with books, dramas and discussions that thrill and inform in equal measure.

"I am delighted that all the hard work is reflected in these shortlists, and that listeners are being well-served during what is becoming a golden age for audio storytelling."

Meanwhile, Fergus Morgan, writer for The Stage and judge for the Speakies, added: "Audio drama is a thrillingly vibrant and versatile artform, and our shortlists this year prove that.

"They celebrate classic works like Faith Healer and Gone With The Wind, imaginative adaptations like The Yafa Cherry Orchard and Becoming Meg Dashwood, and vital new work like Life and Time and Wraith. I am so glad that The Speakies are once again shining a spotlight on this extraordinary, undervalued artform."

The winners will be revealed at a ceremony hosted by Sally Phillips, which will take place at the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall on Monday 23 November 2026.

Read on to find the full list of nominees below.

The British Audio Awards, AKA the Speakies, 2026 shortlist

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Best Audiobook: Crime & Thriller | Supported by The Daily Star

Best Audiobook: Fiction | Supported by Lucy's Book Club

Best Audiobook: Science Fiction & Fantasy | Supported by Audiobookish

Best Audiobook: Romance

Best Audiobook: Specialist Non-Fiction

Best Audiobook: Non-Fiction | Supported by Times Radio

Best Audiobook: Non-Fiction Memoir | Sponsored by Spotify

Best Audiobook: Children's | Supported by The Week Junior

Best Audiobook: Young Adult

Best Audio Drama: New/Original Work

Best Audio Drama: Adaptation

Best Performance

Best Performance: Narrator | Sponsored by London Book Fair | Supported by Big Issue

Best Performance: Ensemble

Best Performance: New Voice | Supported by The Debut Digest

Best Podcast: Arts & Entertainment | Supported by Red

Best Podcast: Narrative | Supported by Radio Times

Production & Sound Design | Sponsored by Dolby

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Check out more of our Audio coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of James Hibbs, smiling against a lime green background.

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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