It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2025? Over the next week we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2025.

• Read on for the nominees for the monsta for the Best Theatre Actor 2025 Previous winners 2024 Paapa Essiedu (Death Of England: The Plays) 2023 Charlie Stemp (Crazy For You), 2022 Mark Rylance (Jerusalem); 2021 James McArdle (The Tragedy Of Macbeth); 2020: Michael Balogun (Death of England: Delroy), 2019: Daniel Monks (Teenage Dick), 2018: Arinze Kene (Misty), 2017: Andrew Scott (Hamlet), 2016: George Mackay (The Caretaker), 2015: James McAvoy (The Ruling Class) 

1. Bryan Cranston, All My Sons, Wyndham’s Theatre Review and Tickets

2. Brendan Gleeson, The Weir, Harold Pinter Theatre Review

3. Sean Hayes, Good Night, Oscar, Barbican Review

4. Diego Andres Rodriguez, EVITA, London Palladium Review

5. David Shields, Punch, Young Vic Review

• Who should win? Tell us in the comments below, on social media or email us at neildurham3@gmail.com. Winner revealed on this site on 25/12/25
• Vote for best podcast, best venue, best gig, best song, best album, best TV, best film, best tv/film actor, best tv/film actress, best new play, best revival, best performance of a song, best  new musical, best theatre actor, best theatre actress, best theatre supporting actor and best theatre supporting actress
• Enjoyed this shortlist? Follow its author on Twitter @NeilDurham, email neildurham3@gmail.com and check us out on Instagram and Facebook