Doctor Who has made two of the categories in the shortlist for this year's
National Television Awards. The show itself is one of four nominees in the
Drama section, finding itself competing with
Broadchurch,
Downton Abbey, and
Call The Midwife, while
Matt Smith as the Doctor is nominated for
Drama Performance.
In a change to the system this year, male and female actors were combined for Drama Performance, and although
Jenna Coleman was included in the longlist she failed to make the shortlist. Smith will be facing challenges from
Martin Clunes (as Dr Martin Ellingham in
Doc Martin),
Maggie Smith (as Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham in
Downton Abbey), and
Miranda Hart (as Chummy Noakes in
Call The Midwife) for the gong.
Other Doctor Who luminaries in the running for awards are as follows:
TV Detectives -
David Tennant (Det Insp Alec Hardy in
Broadchurch),
Olivia Colman (Det Sgt Ellie Miller in
Broadchurch),
Suranne Jones (Det Con Rachel Bailey in
Scott & Bailey), and
Bradley Walsh (Det Sgt Ronnie Brooks in
Law and Order: UK) against
Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock Holmes in
Sherlock) and
Idris Elba (Det Chief Insp John Luther in
Luther).
Daytime -
Pointless (presented by
Alexander Armstrong and
Richard Osman) as well as
The Chase (hosted by
Bradley Walsh) against
This Morning and
The Jeremy Kyle Show.
Documentary -
Penguins - Spy In The Huddle, narrated by
David Tennant, and
Paul O'Grady's Working Britain against
Inside Death Row With Trevor McDonald and
Educating Yorkshire.
Votes can be cast by the public until
midday on Wednesday 22nd January via
this link. There are 13 categories in all and categories can be skipped. The awards ceremony will take place at the
02 in London later the same day, being broadcast live on
ITV from
7.30pm.
Doctor Who failed to win any awards last year, in spite of nominations for the programme, Smith, and
Karen Gillan.