Atkins named best actress at Broadcasting Press Guild Awards

Published Friday 4 April 2008 at 11:55 by Matthew Hemley

Eileen Atkins has beaten Judi Dench to be named best actress at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards for her performance in BBC1 drama Cranford.

Atkins also saw off competition from Maggie Smith and Gina McKee to win the award, which will be presented at a ceremony at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane this afternoon.

In addition, Cranford won the award for best television drama series, defeating Oliver Twist, Party Animals and Five Days. Meanwhile, its writer Heidi Thomas scooped the award for best writer, seeing off competition from The Mark of Cain’s Tony Marchant, Capturing Mary’s Stephen Poliakoff and Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, who were nominated for Extras.

Philip Glenister, who played Mr Carter in Cranford, took the gong for best actor, beating fellow nominees Michael Gambon, David Suchet and Andrew Garfield. However, Garfield’s drama Boy A, made for Channel 4, won in the best single television drama category.

The award for comedy/entertainment programme was won by BBC3’s Gavin and Stacey, which was up against Strictly Come Dancing, Armstrong and Miller and Extras.

Social networking site Bebo was presented the Innovation Award for its online drama KateModern, which the BPG said “redefined television drama for the broadband age”.

Phil Redmond, who launched the TV series Grange Hill, Hollyoaks and Brookside, took the Harvey Lee Award for outstanding contribution to broadcasting.