The British Audio Awards, AKA the Speakies, shortlist revealed for 2026

The shortlist for the second annual British Audio Awards, also known as the Speakies, has been announced, ahead of the ceremony taking place later this year.

The awards, which are delivered by The Bookseller and The Stage, feature 18 categories, and are dedicated to celebrating excellence in audiobooks, audio drama and podcasts.

Amongst those nominated in the Best Performance categories are well-known actors such as James McAvoy, Adjoa Andoh, Simon Russell Beale, Steve Toussaint, Mark Gatiss, Clare Perkins and Jason Watkins.

Meanwhile, many of the UK’s biggest books of the past year are nominated including Douglas Stuart’s Booker-longlisted John of John, A Mind of My Own by Kathy Burke, The Long Shoe by Bob Mortimer, Enough Said by Alan Bennett and London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe.

Two new podcast categories have also been added this year, with presenters on the shortlist including Vick Hope, Gemma Cairney, Jack Edwards, David Mitchell, David Suchet and Emilia Fox. Meanwhile, a new category to celebrate Production & Sound Design has also been added.

Philip Jones, editor of The Bookseller and judge for the Speakies, said in a statement: "From Hollywood actors to Booker-winning authors the market for listening goes from strength to strength, with books, dramas and discussions that thrill and inform in equal measure.

"I am delighted that all the hard work is reflected in these shortlists, and that listeners are being well-served during what is becoming a golden age for audio storytelling."

Meanwhile, Fergus Morgan, writer for The Stage and judge for the Speakies, added: "Audio drama is a thrillingly vibrant and versatile artform, and our shortlists this year prove that.

"They celebrate classic works like Faith Healer and Gone With The Wind, imaginative adaptations like The Yafa Cherry Orchard and Becoming Meg Dashwood, and vital new work like Life and Time and Wraith. I am so glad that The Speakies are once again shining a spotlight on this extraordinary, undervalued artform."

The winners will be revealed at a ceremony hosted by Sally Phillips, which will take place at the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall on Monday 23 November 2026.

Read on to find the full list of nominees below.

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Best Audiobook: Crime & Thriller | Supported by The Daily Star

• Cully & more by Ian Rankin, narrated by Alexander Morton, Dominic Cooper and various (BBC Audio)
• Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray, narrated by Joanne Froggatt (Pan Macmillan, Macmillan)
• Five by Ilona Bannister, narrated by Kristin Atherton, Juliet Stevenson, Clare Corbett, George Naylor, Theo Solomon and
• Marlowe Chan-Reeves (HarperCollins Publishers / HQ, Juniper)
• Murder at the Spirit Lounge by Jess Kidd, narrated by Philippa Dunne (Faber)
• My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney, narrated by Bel Powley, Richard Armitage and Henry Rowley (Pan Macmillan, Macmillan)
• The Devoted Wife by Sarah A Denzil, narrated by Sheridan Smith and various (Audible)

Best Audiobook: Fiction | Supported by Lucy's Book Club

• John of John by Douglas Stuart, narrated by Lorne MacFadyen (Pan Macmillan, Picador)
• Look What You Made Me Do by John Lanchester, narrated by Louise Brealey and Genevieve Gaunt (WF Howes)
• Nonesuch by Francis Spufford, narrated by Lydia Wilson (Faber)
• The Long Shoe by Bob Mortimer, narrated by Bob Mortimer, Diane Morgan and Arabella Weir (Simon & Schuster)
• The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion: Volume 1 by Beth Brower, narrated by Genevieve Gaunt (Echo Point Books &
• Media, LLC)
• Vaim by Jon Fosse, Damion Searls (trans), narrated by Toby Jones (Fitzcarraldo Editions)

Best Audiobook: Science Fiction & Fantasy | Supported by Audiobookish

• Femme Feral by Sam Beckbessinger, narrated by Imogen Church (Bloomsbury Publishing, Bloomsbury Archer)
• Ice by Jacek Dukaj, Ursula Phillips (trans), narrated by Mark Elstob (Bloomsbury Publishing, Ad Astra, Head of Zeus)
• King of Ravens by Clare Sager, narrated by Kristin Atherton, Ethan Reid (Transworld, Wayward TxF)
• The Last Starborn Seer by Venetia Constantine, narrated by Gaia Wise and Maxim Ays (Bloomsbury Publishing, Aria, Head
• of Zeus)
• There Is No Antimemetics Division by qntm, narrated by Rebecca Calder (Penguin, Cornerstone)
• The Red Winter by Cameron Sullivan, narrated by Rory Barnett and Imogen Church (Pan Macmillan, Tor)

Best Audiobook: Romance

• Annie Knows Everything by Rachel Wood, narrated by Alex C Stewart, Christine Lakin and Connor Crais (Bonnier Books UK,
• Zaffre)
• A Wild English Rose by Sasha Cottman, narrated by Billie Fulford-Brown, Christopher Tester (Spotify Audiobooks)
• Bachelorettes by Rosa Rankin-Gee, narrated by Erin Doherty and Georgie Sadler (Audible)
• Daggermouth by HM Wolfe, narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Angel Pean (Pan Macmillan, Tor Bramble)
• The Last Love Song by Lucinda Riley and Harry Whittaker, narrated by Jessie Buckley (Pan Macmillan, Macmillan)
• Portrait of Clare by Francis Brett Young, narrated by Justin Avoth (Naxos AudioBooks)

Best Audiobook: Specialist Non-Fiction

• Autistically Me: How to Understand and Celebrate Our Unique Minds by Bradley Riches, narrated by Bradley Riches (WF
• Howes)
• How to Make Your Brain Your Best Friend: A Neuroscientist’s Guide to a Healthier, Happier Life by Rachel Barr, narrated by
• Rachel Barr (DK RED)
• Joy Chose You: Words for Hope, Comfort and Light by Donna Ashworth, narrated by Donna Ashworth (Bonnier Books UK,
• Blink)
• Literally: A Joyful Guide to the Ups and Downs of Being Autistic by Ella Willis, narrated by Ella Willis (Pan Macmillan,
• Bluebird)
• Start with Yourself: A New Vision for Work & Life by Emma Grede, narrated by Emma Grede (Simon & Schuster)
• Tao Te Ching by Laozi, Stephen Mitchell (trans), narrated by Tilda Swinton (Spiracle Audiobooks)

Best Audiobook: Non-Fiction | Supported by Times Radio

• Attention Seeker: A Neurodivergent Comedian’s Guide to Thriving with ADHD by Darcy Michael, narrated by Darcy Michael (DK, Alpha)
• Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York by Andrew Lownie, narrated by Andrew Lownie (HarperCollins Publishers,
• William Collins)
• Lessons from a Default Parent: Surviving the Front Line of Family Life (Without Losing Your Sh*t) by Lou Beckett, narrated
• by Lou Beckett and Rob Beckett (DK Red)
• London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City, and a Family’s Search for Truth by Patrick Radden Keefe, narrated by
• Patrick Radden Keefe (Pan Macmillan, Picador)
• Our Later Years: Shared Wisdom on Ageing Powerfully Together by The Women of New Ground, narrated by Sahera
• Chohan, the Women of New Ground (Bloomsbury Publishing PLC)
• When Gavin Met Stacey and Everything in Between: A Story of Love and Friendship by Ruth Jones and James Corden,
• narrated by Ruth Jones and James Corden (Transworld)

• A Hymn to Life by Gisèle Pelicot, Natasha Lehrer and Ruth Diver (trans), narrated by Emma Thompson (Vintage)
• A Mind of My Own by Kathy Burke, narrated by Kathy Burke (Simon & Schuster)
• Enough Said by Alan Bennett, narrated by Alex Jennings (Profile Books)
• Famesick by Lena Dunham, narrated by Lena Dunham (HarperCollins Publishers, 4th Estate)
• Keep Laughing by Chris McCausland, narrated by Chris McCausland (Penguin Michael Joseph)
• Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy, narrated by Arundhati Roy (Penguin General)

Best Audiobook: Children's | Supported by The Week Junior

• British Museum: So You Think You’ve Got It Bad? A Kid’s Life in Tudor Times by Chae Strathie (Nosy Crow)
• Harry Potter (Full-Cast Editions) by JK Rowling (Pottermore Publishing & Audible)
• Super Great Kids’ Stories: From Storytellers Around the World by Kim Normanton (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)
• Tiny Hercules by Jon Lock and Nich Angell, narrated by Tom Babbage (Pan Macmillan, Macmillan Children’s Books)
• The Café at the Edge of the Woods by Mikey Please (HarperCollins Publishers, HarperCollins Children’s Books)
• Yoto Classics: Peter Pan by JM Barrie, narrated by Nick Mohammed (Yoto Originals)

Best Audiobook: Young Adult

• Everything Not Saved by NMJ Coveney, narrated by Jordan Renzo, George Greenland and Alix Wilton Regan (Fire Hills Press Ltd)
• Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald, narrated by Greg Stylianou-Burns and Scot Greenan (WF Howes)
• Like a Brother by Nathanael Lessore, narrated by Michael Ajao (Bonnier Books UK, Hot Key Books)
• Not Going to Plan by Tia Fisher, narrated by Charlie Bateman and Imogen Front (Bonnier Books UK, Hot Key Books)
• Piper at the Gates of Dusk by Patrick Ness, narrated by Jordan Renzo and Zach Barack (Bolinda, Bolinda Audio)
• Survival Show by Juno Dawson, narrated by Hannah Berchtold (Simon & Schuster, Gallery YA)

Best Audio Drama: New/Original Work

• Becoming Meg Dashwood by Rebecca Humphries, produced by Audible with Thomas Carter Projects
• High Cockalorum by Jeremy Dyson, produced by Nadia Molinari (BBC Studios for BBC Radio 4)
• Life and Time by James Fritz, produced by Tracey Neale (BBC Studios)
• Shirley’s Party by Katie Hims, produced by Mary Peate and Jessica Dromgoole (Hooley Productions for BBC Radio 4)
• The Garden by Shaun Mendum, produced by Shaun Mendum, Jun Noh, Helen Quigley (Kobold Blue Productions)
• Wraith by James Dobbyn, Anthony Povah, produced by Chris Grezo (Strange Boy Productions)

Best Audio Drama: Adaptation

• Faith Healer by Brian Friel, produced by Mary Peate and Jessica Dromgoole (Hooley Productions)
• Heathcliff – A Wuthering Heights Story by Gracie Oddie-James, produced by Audible
• Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog by Dylan Thomas, produced by Fay Lomas (BBC Audio Drama Wales)
• Transcription by Kate Atkinson, produced by Mary Peate and Jessica Dromgoole (Hooley Productions)
• Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, produced by Tracey Neale (BBC Studios Audio)
• The Yafa Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov, produced by Boz Temple-Morris (Holy Mountain)

Best Performance

• Mark Gatiss, High Cockalorum by Jeremy Dyson, produced by Nadia Molinari
• Erin Doherty, Becoming Meg Dashwood by Rebecca Humphries, produced by Audible with Thomas Carter Projects
• Mohamed Elsandel, The Courier by Eno Mfon and Darragh Mortell, produced by John Norton
• Clare Perkins, Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, dramatised by Rachel Joyce, produced by Tracey Neale
• Steve Toussaint, Double Exposure by Sol B River, produced by John Norton
• Jason Watkins, Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, adapted by Ernesto Caballero, translated by David Johnston and
• Nicolas Jackson, produced by Nicolas Jackson

• Adjoa Andoh, Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi, produced by Jack Ashley
• Joe Eyre, Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb, produced by iD Audio
• Hanako Footman, The Rainshadow Orphans by Naomi Ishiguro, produced by Molly Robinson
• Rory Kinnear, Jesus Christ Kinski by Benjamin Myers, produced by Bloomsbury
• James McAvoy, Recall by JD Kirk, produced by Audible Originals
• Simon Russell Beale, George Smiley novels by John le Carré, produced by Roy McMillan

Best Performance: Ensemble

• Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, adapted by Ernesto Caballero, translated by David Johnston and Nicolas Jackson,
• produced by Nicolas Jackson
• Faith Healer by Brian Friel, produced by Mary Peate and Jessica Dromgoole (Hooley Productions)
• Hope Bourne by Zalie Burrow, produced by Sarah Golding
• Shirley’s Party by Katie Hims, produced by Mary Peate and Jessica Dromgoole (Hooley Productions)
• Transcription by Kate Atkinson, dramatised by Katie Hims, produced by Hooley Productions
• 400 Strangers by Katie Farr, produced by Chloe Sackur and Charlotte Melén

Best Performance: New Voice | Supported by The Debut Digest

• Golden Trio young cast alongside Cush Jumbo as narrator, Harry Potter The Full-Cast Audio Editions by JK Rowling,
• produced by Pottermore Publishing & Audible
• Eoin Lynch, The Moon Seeker by Dee Barragry, produced by WF Howes
• Imogen Mackie Walker, Send Flowers by Emily Buchanan, produced by WF Howes
• Izuka Hoyle, Love at First Latte by Sarah Saville, produced by Audible Originals
• Lorne MacFadyen, John of John by Douglas Stuart, produced by Chatterbox Audio
• Sachin K Sharma, Who Will Remain by Kasim Ali, produced by HarperCollins

Best Podcast: Arts & Entertainment | Supported by Red

• All About the Music, hosted by Neil Brand, produced by Owen Rodd (Somersault Studio)
• Bookshelfie, hosted by Vick Hope, produced by Bird Lime Media (Women’s Prize Trust)
• Dream Space, hosted by Gemma Cairney, produced by Factory International, Reduced Listening (Factory International)
• Inklings Book Club, hosted by Jack Edwards, produced by Jack Edwards
• STACK with Jake and Ella, hosted and produced by Jake Williams and Ella Horne (Independent, W!ZARD STUDIOS)
• You’re On Tonight, hosted by Kara Alberts-Turner and Liam Horrigan, produced by The Sound Company (Acast)

Best Podcast: Narrative | Supported by Radio Times

• Charles Dickens Ghost Stories, hosted by David Suchet, produced by Noiser
• Crime Scenes, hosted by Emilia Fox, produced by Audible
• James Pond, hosted by David Mitchell, Tamsin Greig, Rosie Holt and Clare Foster, produced by Listen & Often
• Sherlock & Co, hosted by Paul Waggott, Harry Attwell and Marta da Silva, produced by Neil Fearn and Jon Gill (Goalhanger
• Podcasts)
• Storytime Takeover, hosted by James Jobson, Patrick Rosu and Rosa Marshall Coghlan, produced by Nicky Coghlan (RTÉ
• Kids Podcasts)
• Wolf Valley, produced by Eleanor Mein (Almost Tangible, BBC Radio 4)

• Becoming Meg Dashwood by Rebecca Humphries, produced by Audible with Thomas Carter Projects
• Glittering Prospects by Anna Bertmark, sound design and production by Anna Bertmark
• Odds On by Liv Fowler, sound design by Jon Nicholls, produced by Jelena Budimir
• Spores: Series 2 by Marietta Kirkbride, sound design by Jon Nicholls and Adam Woodhams, produced by Nicolas Jackson
• The Garden by Shaun Mendum, sound design by Matthew Kulewicz, produced by Shaun Mendum, Jun Noh and Helen Quigley
• Wolf Valley by Charlotte Melén, sound design by Louis Blatherwick, Steve Bond and Marcus Hjelmborg, produced by
• Charlotte Melén and Eleanor Mein

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