Television awards host Joel Dommett hoping Adolescence ‘wins big’ as longlist revealed

By Hannah Roberts, PA Entertainment Reporter

Netflix hit Adolescence has made it on to the National Television Awards (NTAs) longlist and host Joel Dommett is hoping the drama “wins big”.

The four-part series, which examines so-called incel (involuntary celibate) culture, has prompted a national conversation about online safety.

The programme features This Is England star Stephen Graham as Eddie Miller – the father of 13-year-old Jamie played by newcomer Owen Cooper – who sees armed police burst into his home to arrest his son.

Both actors are longlisted in the drama performance category alongside Erin Doherty, who plays a child psychologist, and the programme itself features in the new drama category.

Dommett, 39, told the PA news agency: “It’s another one of those sort of game-changer shows, isn’t it really? In a similar way to Baby Reindeer, in a similar way to Mr Bates Vs The Post Office.

“One of those shows that really sort of stretches wide and everyone notices and everyone talks about it. It was one of those strange ones, really, where I was scared to watch it, I think, because, also I’ve got a young boy, but it felt important to watch, and I think that was what everyone felt.

“And as soon as I did (watch it), I was like, this is just not only important, but unbelievably moving and incredibly shot.

“Every now and again a series comes along where it feels like it moves television forward. And it felt like it was one of those shows where you were like, ‘Oh my god, this is so, like, arresting to watch and so incredibly written and so incredibly acted.’

“Just felt like all of the pieces of the puzzle were perfect. So I hope it wins big, I’m sure it will. They deserve to be lauded.”

At the end of March, Prime Minister Keir Starmer met the series creators, charities and young people to discuss the issues raised in the series during a meeting focused on rethinking adolescent safety.

The drama took months of preparation and rehearsals so that each episode could be filmed in one continuous shot, which was praised by viewers of the show.

Discussing Cooper’s performance, Dommett told PA: “I mean it was just one of those performances that you’re like, ‘Oh my god, this person. I hope he acts for the rest of his life.’ This is like his first job.

“But what an amazing thing to be able to do. It’s insane that performance… But yeah, I really hope he makes the short list.

“I really hope he gets, again, awarded for it, because he’s brilliant, but it’s so mad the fact that he could be against his dad in it, Stephen Graham.”

Among the other shows up for multiple awards is Disney+ drama Rivals, based on Dame Jilly Cooper’s novel of the same name, which is longlisted for new drama, with a performance nod for Danny Dyer and David Tennant.

Gary Lineker, who recently issued an apology for a social media video he shared which led to his early exit from the BBC, is among those who feature on the TV presenter longlist.

It was revealed on Monday that after this weekend’s Match Of The Day, Lineker, 64, will leave his presenting role at the BBC and will no longer front the corporation’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup or the FA Cup next season.

He is longlisted alongside presenting duo Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly who won the prize for a historic 23rd year in a row in 2024.

This year’s ceremony, which will see Dommett undertake hosting duties for the fifth time, marks the NTA’s 30th anniversary.

Dommett said: “I’m really excited for it to be the 30th year. I think it’s going to give it a really good vibe to it that I think we’ve never had before.

“I say this every year, but we’re going to try and make it bigger and better than ever, and try and put our own little spin on it and do something a little bit different.”

The NTA shortlist will be revealed in August when the final round of voting begins.

Winners will be announced at the ceremony on ITV1 and ITVX on September 10th, 2025.