Northern Ireland’s television industry was celebrated at the Royal Television Society’s 10th annual RTS NI Awards at Titanic Belfast on Tuesday 11 November 2025. The ceremony, hosted by Christine Lampard and sponsored by Ka-Boom, recognised talent across drama, comedy, factual and news.
Producer and writer Louise Gallagher received the Brian Waddell Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry. The Derry-born founder of Gallagher Films was recognised for championing new voices and her work on projects including A Bump Along the Way, Rough and Blue Lights. Gallagher also serves as business development executive at Hat Trick NI, which won the Comedy Award for its short film Spinster.
In the acting categories, Say Nothing stars Lola Petticrew and Anthony Boyle were named Best Actor – Female and Best Actor – Male. Petticrew is currently filming a Hulu drama in New York, while Boyle is shooting The Altruists for Netflix after his acclaimed role in House of Guinness.
ITV1’s Malpractice Series 2 won Best Drama, with judges describing it as “an adrenalin rush”. BBC Three and BBC Northern Ireland’s Funboys took home two awards: Breakthrough On-Screen for Ele McKenzie and Best Writer for co-creators Rian Lennon and Ryan Dylan.
In children’s programming, Nikhil & Jay by King Banana TV and Paper Owl Films for CBeebies won for its portrayal of cultural diversity. The Entertainment Award went to The 2 Johnnies Late Night Lock In from Green Inc Film & TV for RTÉ, marking its second consecutive win.
Waddell Media collected two trophies: Best Factual Entertainment for At Your Service and Lifestyle and Features for We Built a Zoo, which follows TikTok creator Kyle Thomas as he builds an animal sanctuary in Lisburn.
BBC’s On Drugs by Blair Black Films won Documentary – Series, while Fine Point Films’ Cyndi Lauper: Let the Canary Sing for Paramount+ took Documentary – Single. The Specialist Factual Award went to Little Ease Films’ Burkitt for TG4, telling the story of Irish surgeon Denis Burkitt and survivor Éanna Mac Cana.
In news and current affairs, BBC Newsline was recognised for its coverage of the Northern Ireland race riots in Ballymena, and Spotlight: I Am Not Okay won for its investigation into families coping with autism-related violence.
Composer Die Hexen won Best Original Music Score for Video Nasty, and editor David Gray took the Post-Production award for his work on David Puttnam – The Long Way Home.
The Hidden Hero Award went to producer Brendan Hughes, recognised for more than four decades of mentoring and developing new talent in Northern Ireland’s screen industry.
The RTS NI Awards were supported by BBC Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen, Channel 4, RTÉ and TG4, with headline sponsor Ka-Boom and music partner The Nerve. The RTS is a UK educational charity promoting the art and science of television.
