“Paddington the Musical” and “Into The Woods” lead the field at the 2026 Olivier Awards with Cunard, earning 11 nominations each, as British theater’s most prestigious honors unveiled its full slate of nominees on Thursday.
The two musicals are trailed by three plays with six nominations apiece: Arthur Miller revival “All My Sons,” new work “Kenrex” and Broadway transfer “Stereophonic.”
“Into The Woods,” currently running at the Bridge Theatre, picked up nominations including Best Musical Revival, Best Actor in a Musical for Jamie Parker, Best Actress in a Musical for Katie Brayben, and Best Director for Jordan Fein – his second consecutive nomination in that category, following last year’s nod for “Fiddler on the Roof.” Designer Tom Scutt earned his fifth and sixth career nominations, in both Best Set Design and Best Costume Design, after previously winning Best Set Design for “Fiddler on the Roof.”
“Paddington the Musical,” playing at the Savoy Theatre, contends for Best New Musical alongside the National Theatre’s “Here We Are” – the posthumous Stephen Sondheim work – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s “Shucked,” and the Chichester Festival Theatre transfer “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. The Paddington production’s shared title performers James Hameed and Arti Shah are jointly nominated for Best Actor in a Musical.
In the acting categories, the Best Actress nominees are Cate Blanchett (“The Seagull”), Marianne Jean-Baptiste (“All My Sons”), Julia McDermott (“Weather Girl”), Rosamund Pike (“Inter Alia”) and Rosie Sheehy (“Guess How Much I Love You?”) – the latter her second consecutive nomination, following last year’s nod for “Machinal.” Best Actor contenders are Bryan Cranston and Tom Hiddleston, nominated for “All My Sons” and “Much Ado About Nothing” respectively, alongside Sean Hayes (“Good Night, Oscar”), Jack Holden (“Kenrex”) and David Shields (“Punch”).
Hayes earns a second nomination in Outstanding Musical Contribution, alongside Chris Fenwick, for his live piano performance of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” in “Good Night, Oscar.” He is one of several nominees recognised across multiple categories: Georgina Onuorah is nominated for Best Actress in a Musical for “Brigadoon” and Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical for “Shucked,” while Tom Scutt’s double nomination in design categories has been noted above. Zachary Hart earns a rare double nomination within the same category – Best Actor in a Supporting Role – for both “Stereophonic” and “The Seagull.”
Paapa Essiedu, Hayley Squires and Ivo van Hove are also nominated for their work on “All My Sons,” which closes at Wyndham’s Theatre on Saturday. James Graham’s “Punch” picks up four nominations including Best New Play, marking his second Olivier nomination after winning in that category in 2024 for “Dear England.” The play returns to the Nottingham Playhouse following its London run. Suzie Miller’s “Inter Alia” also receives a Best New Play nomination – her second Olivier nod, following her win for “Prima Facie” in 2023.
Among the musical revival contenders, the Almeida Theatre’s “American Psycho” faces Jamie Lloyd’s “Evita” at the London Palladium, “Into The Woods” and “The Producers” at the Garrick Theatre. Rachel Zegler and Diego Andres Rodriguez represent “Evita” in the acting musical categories.
Other nominees across the ceremony include Tracie Bennett – in her seventh all-time Olivier nomination – Corbin Bleu, Kate Fleetwood, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Jane Krakowski, Andy Nyman, Hayley Squires, Giles Terera, Sophie Thompson and Gabriella Slade, the latter earning her second consecutive nomination following her win for “Starlight Express” last year.
The ceremony, which this year marks its 50th anniversary, will take place on April 12 at the Royal Albert Hall and will be hosted by Nick Mohammed. It will be broadcast on BBC Two and iPlayer, with highlights on BBC Radio 2.
The Outstanding Contribution to Dance and Opera awards will be presented at the ceremony by Wayne McGregor and Danielle De Niese, respectively.
FULL LIST OF NOMINEES — OLIVIER AWARDS 2026 WITH CUNARD
Cunard Best New Musical
“Here We Are,” book by David Ives, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim – National Theatre, Lyttelton “Paddington the Musical,” music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, book by Jessica Swale – Savoy Theatre “Shucked,” book by Robert Horn, music and lyrics by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
“The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry,” book by Rachel Joyce, music and lyrics by Passenger – Theatre Royal Haymarket
Best Musical Revival supported by Piper-Heidsieck
“American Psycho,” book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, music and lyrics by Duncan Sheik, based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis – Almeida Theatre
“Evita,” lyrics by Tim Rice, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber – The London Palladium
“Into The Woods,” music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Lapine – Bridge Theatre
“The Producers,” music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan – Garrick Theatre
Best New Play supported by The Londoner
“1536” by Ava Pickett – Almeida Theatre
“Inter Alia” by Suzie Miller – National Theatre, Lyttelton
“Kenrex” by Jack Holden and Ed Stambollouian – The Other Palace
“Punch” by James Graham – Young Vic and Apollo Theatre
Best Revival
“All My Sons” by Arthur Miller – Wyndham’s Theatre
“Arcadia” by Tom Stoppard – The Old Vic
“Much Ado About Nothing” by William Shakespeare – Theatre Royal Drury Lane
“The Seagull” by Anton Chekhov, adapted by Duncan Macmillan and Thomas Ostermeier – Barbican Theatre
Noël Coward Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play
“The Comedy About Spies” by Henry Lewis and Henry Shields – Noël Coward Theatre
“Every Brilliant Thing” by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe – @sohoplace
“Oh, Mary!” by Cole Escola – Trafalgar Theatre
“Paranormal Activity” by Levi Holloway – Ambassadors Theatre
Best Actress
Cate Blanchett, “The Seagull” – Barbican Theatre
Marianne Jean-Baptiste, “All My Sons” – Wyndham’s Theatre
Julia McDermott, “Weather Girl” – Soho Theatre
Rosamund Pike, “Inter Alia” – National Theatre, Lyttelton
Rosie Sheehy, “Guess How Much I Love You?” – Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at Royal Court Theatre
Best Actor
Bryan Cranston, “All My Sons” – Wyndham’s Theatre
Sean Hayes, “Good Night, Oscar” – Barbican Theatre
Tom Hiddleston, “Much Ado About Nothing” – Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Jack Holden, “Kenrex” – The Other Palace
David Shields, “Punch” – Young Vic and Apollo Theatre
Best Actor in a Musical
Marc Antolin, “The Producers” – Garrick Theatre
James Hameed and Arti Shah, “Paddington The Musical” – Savoy Theatre
Andy Nyman, “The Producers” – Garrick Theatre
Jamie Parker, “Into The Woods” – Bridge Theatre
Diego Andres Rodriguez, “Evita” – The London Palladium
Best Actress in a Musical
Katie Brayben, “Into The Woods” – Bridge Theatre
Danielle Fiamanya and Georgina Onuorah, “Brigadoon” – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Jane Krakowski, “Here We Are” – National Theatre, Lyttelton
Jenna Russell, “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” – Theatre Royal Haymarket
Rachel Zegler, “Evita” – The London Palladium
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Isis Hainsworth, “Arcadia” – The Old Vic
Julie Hesmondhalgh, “Punch” – Young Vic and Apollo Theatre
Lucy Karczewski, “Stereophonic” – Duke of York’s Theatre
Hayley Squires, “All My Sons” – Wyndham’s Theatre
Sophie Thompson, “When We Are Married” – Donmar Warehouse
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Hammed Animashaun, “Dealer’s Choice” – Donmar Warehouse
Paapa Essiedu, “All My Sons” – Wyndham’s Theatre
Zachary Hart, “The Seagull” – Barbican Theatre
Zachary Hart, “Stereophonic” – Duke of York’s Theatre
Giles Terera, “Oh, Mary!” – Trafalgar Theatre
Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Trevor Ashley, “The Producers” – Garrick Theatre
Corbin Bleu, “The Great Gatsby – A New Musical” – London Coliseum
Tom Edden, “Paddington the Musical” – Savoy Theatre
Jo Foster, “Into The Woods” – Bridge Theatre
Oliver Savile, “Into The Woods” – Bridge Theatre
Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Tracie Bennett, “Here We Are” – National Theatre, Lyttelton
Amy Booth-Steel, “Paddington the Musical” – Savoy Theatre
Kate Fleetwood, “Into The Woods” – Bridge Theatre
Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, “Paddington the Musical” – Savoy Theatre
Georgina Onuorah, “Shucked” – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Peter Hall Award for Best Director
Jordan Fein, “Into The Woods” – Bridge Theatre
Luke Sheppard, “Paddington the Musical” – Savoy Theatre
Ed Stambollouian, “Kenrex” – The Other Palace
Lyndsey Turner, “1536” – Almeida Theatre
Ivo van Hove, “All My Sons” – Wyndham’s Theatre
Gillian Lynne Award for Best Theatre Choreographer
Fabian Aloise, “Evita” – The London Palladium
Ellen Kane, “Paddington the Musical” – Savoy Theatre Drew McOnie, “Brigadoon” – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Lynne Page, “American Psycho” – Almeida Theatre
Best Costume Design
Enver Chakartash, “Stereophonic” – Duke of York’s Theatre
Linda Cho, “The Great Gatsby – A New Musical” – London Coliseum
Tom Scutt, “Into The Woods” – Bridge Theatre
Gabriella Slade (Costume Design) and Tahra Zafar (Paddington Design), “Paddington The Musical” – Savoy Theatre
Best Set Design supported by Blue-i Theatre Technology
Paul Tate dePoo III (Scenic and Projection Design), “The Great Gatsby – A New Musical” – London Coliseum
Tom Pye (Set Design) and Ash J Woodward (Video Design), “Paddington the Musical” – Savoy Theatre Tom Scutt, “Into The Woods” – Bridge Theatre
David Zinn, “Stereophonic” – Duke of York’s Theatre
Best Lighting Design
Robbie Butler, “Punch” – Young Vic and Apollo Theatre
Jon Clark, “Evita” – The London Palladium
Aideen Malone (Lighting Design) and Roland Horvath (Video Design), “Into The Woods” – Bridge Theatre Joshua Pharo, “Kenrex” – The Other Palace
Best Sound Design supported by d&b audiotechnik
Adam Fisher, “Into The Woods” – Bridge Theatre
Gareth Owen, “Paddington the Musical” – Savoy Theatre
Ryan Rumery, “Stereophonic” – Duke of York’s Theatre
Giles Thomas, “Kenrex” – The Other Palace
Outstanding Musical Contribution
Matt Brind (Orchestrations and Arrangements), “Paddington the Musical” – Savoy Theatre
Will Butler (Original Songs and Orchestrations) and Justin Craig (Orchestrations), “Stereophonic” – Duke of York’s Theatre
John Patrick Elliott (Composition), “Kenrex” – The Other Palace
Chris Fenwick (Musical Supervision and Arrangements) and Sean Hayes (Live Piano Performance of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”), “Good Night, Oscar” – Barbican Theatre
Best Family Show
“The Boy at the Back of the Class,” adapted by Nick Ahad – Rose Theatre
“The Boy With Wings,” adapted by Arvind Ethan David – Polka Theatre
“The Firework-Maker’s Daughter,” adapted by Jude Christian – Polka Theatre
“The Three Little Pigs,” music by George Stiles, book and lyrics by Anthony Drewe – Unicorn Theatre
Best New Production in Affiliate Theatre
“Ben and Imo” by Mark Ravenhill – Orange Tree Theatre
“The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams – The Yard Theatre
“The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs” by Iman Qureshi – Kiln Theatre
“Miss Myrtle’s Garden” by Danny James King – Bush Theatre
“The Shitheads” by Jack Nicholls – Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at Royal Court Theatre
Best New Dance Production
“Into the Hairy” by Sharon Eyal for S-E-D – Sadler’s Wells
“Mimi’s Shebeen” by Alesandra Seutin and KVS – Sadler’s Wells East
“Random Taranto” by María del Mar Suárez (La Chachi), Dance Umbrella: Change Tempo – The Pit at Barbican
“She’s Auspicious” by Mythili Prakash – Sadler’s Wells East
Best New Opera Production supported by TAIT
“Dead Man Walking” by English National Opera – London Coliseum
“The Makropulos Case” by The Royal Opera – Royal Opera House
“Tosca” by The Royal Opera – Royal Opera House
“Die Walküre” by The Royal Opera – Royal Opera House
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