Paddington dominates Olivier Awards with Rachel Zegler, Rosamund Pike and more recognised

Winners of the Olivier Awards 2026 were announced on 12 April at the Royal Albert Hall in a ceremony hosted by Nick Mohammed, marking the awards’ 50th anniversary. The event was broadcast on BBC Two and is available on BBC iPlayer.

The most awarded production of the night was Paddington The Musical, which received seven prizes (the most for any new musical in the awards’ history), including Best New Musical for writers Tom Fletcher and Jessica Swale. James Hameed and Arti Shah shared the award for Best Actor in a Musical for their performances in the title role. Victoria Hamilton-Barritt won Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical and Tom Edden won Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical. Luke Sheppard received Best Director, while Tom Pye and Ash J Woodward won Best Set Design, and Gabriella Slade and Tahra Zafar won Best Costume Design.

Two musicals received two awards each. Evita, directed by Jamie Lloyd, saw Rachel Zegler win Best Actress in a Musical, with Fabian Aloise awarded Best Theatre Choreographer. Into the Woods was named Best Musical Revival, with Aideen Malone and Roland Horvath recognised for Best Lighting Design.

Three plays also received two awards each. All My Sons was named Best Revival, with Paapa Essiedu winning Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Jack Holden won Best Actor for Kenrex, with Giles Thomas receiving Best Sound Design. Punchwas awarded Best New Play, and Julie Hesmondhalgh won Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

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Best Actress was awarded to Rosamund Pike for Inter Alia. Good Night, Oscar received the award for Outstanding Musical Contribution for Chris Fenwick and Sean Hayes.

Other winners included Oh, Mary! for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play, The Boy at the Back of the Class for Best Family Show, and The Glass Menagerie for Best New Production in Affiliate Theatre. In dance and opera categories, Into the Hairy won Best New Dance Production and Dead Man Walking won Best New Opera Production.

Elaine Paige received a Special Award during the ceremony, presented by Andrew Lloyd Webber, while Industry Recognition Awards were given to Betty Laine, Linda Tolhurst and David Wood.