It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2026? Over the next 3 months we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 17 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2026.

• Read on for the nominees for the monsta for Best  TV/Film Actor 2025 winner Benito Skinner (Overcompensating); 2024 Sion Daniel Young (Lost Boys And Fairies) 2023 Mark Gatiss (Nolly), 2022: Kit Connor (Heartstopper); 2021: Omari Douglas (It’s A Sin); 2020: Paul Mescal (Normal People), 2019: Billy Porter (Pose), 2018: Hugh Grant (A Very English Scandal), 2017: Sacha Dhawan (Boy With The Topknot), 2016: Jonas Nay (Deutschland ’83), 2015: Sir Anthony Hopkins (The Dresser)

1. Jamie Bell, Half Man Reasons to watch

2. Matt Damon, The Odyssey Review

3. Jack O’Connell, Ink and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Review and Review

4. Josh O’Connor, The History Of Sound Review

5. Andrew Scott, Elsinore Review

• Who should win? Tell us in the comments below or email us at neildurham3@gmail.com. Winner revealed on this site on 30/12/26
• Vote for 2026’s 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