A Night of Triumph at the 2026 Olivier Awards
The 2026 Olivier Awards, held at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Sunday, celebrated a night of remarkable achievements in theatre. Rachel Zegler and Rosmund Pike were among the standout winners, with Zegler taking home the Best Actress In A Musical award for her performance in Evita and Pike winning Best Actress for her role in Inter Alia. The evening was dominated by Paddington The Musical, which secured an impressive seven awards out of its 11 nominations.
Paddington The Musical: A Big Winner
The musical, based on the beloved books by Michael Bond and the hit films, won in several categories, including Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical, and Best Actor and Actress in a Supporting Role. It also claimed the Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director, as well as prizes for Best Costume Design and Best Set Design. The show features a life-like puppet of the marmalade-loving bear from Peru and includes music by Tom Fletcher, a member of the band McFly. The book was written by playwright Jessica Swale.
During the acceptance speech for Best New Musical, Fletcher praised the production for “celebrating kindness” and described it as “so special” to be part of. Producer Eliza Lumley acknowledged Bond’s daughter Karen Jankel, highlighting the importance of empathy and storytelling in theatre.
Rachel Zegler: A Stellar Performance
Zegler, who played Eva Perón in Evita at London’s Palladium, returned to the Olivier stage to accept her trophy after performing the iconic song Don’t Cry For Me Argentina. She triumphed over fellow nominees Jenna Russell, Jane Krakowski, Katie Brayben, Danielle Fiamanya, and Georgina Onuorah. In her acceptance speech, she called it a “tremendous honour” and thanked London for making her feel welcome. She added that it was “the honour of a lifetime” to perform on Argyll Street eight times a week.
Rosmund Pike: A Theatrical Return
Pike, known for her screen roles in Die Another Day and Gone Girl, took to the stage to accept her prize for her role in Inter Alia at the National Theatre. This marked her return to the stage after nearly 14 years. She described the experience as a “huge, exhilarating risk” and emphasized the challenges of relying on her own words rather than someone else’s. She said, “This is by far the most nerve-wracking performance I will make in the next few weeks.”
Other Notable Winners
Other notable winners included Jack Holden, who won Best Actor for his multi-role performance in Kenrex, and Julie Hesmondhalgh, who received Best Actress In A Supporting Role for Punch. Paapa Essiedu won Best Actor In A Supporting Role for All My Sons and used his platform to advocate for continued funding for organisations that support young people in theatre.
Essiedu, who will star as Professor Severus Snape in the upcoming Harry Potter series remake, credited Frantic Assembly for giving him access to theatre. He urged the audience to continue supporting such organisations to ensure future generations have similar opportunities.
Special Recognition
The Queen paid tribute to Dame Elaine Paige, who received the Special Recognition Award. She was presented with the award by Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber, who called her the “First Lady of musical theatres.” In a message read by the composer, Camilla expressed her delight at the recognition, stating that Paige has brought “huge joy to untold numbers of people.”
Dame Elaine, who has starred in Cats and Evita, spoke about her journey in theatre, reflecting on the early struggles and the support from her father. She encouraged the next generation to find their voice and courage.
Full List of Winners
- Best New Musical: Paddington The Musical
- Best Musical Revival: Into The Woods
- Best New Play: Punch
- Best Revival: All My Sons
- Best Comedy Play: Oh Mary!
- Best Actor: Jack Holden for Kenrex
- Best Actress: Rosmund Pike for Inter Alia
- Best Actor In A Musical: James Hameed & Arti Shah for Paddington The Musical
- Best Actress In A Musical: Rachel Zegler for Evita
- Best Actor In A Supporting Role: Paapa Essiedu for All My Sons
- Best Actress In A Supporting Role: Julie Hesmondhalgh for Punch
- Sir Peter Hall Award For Best Director: Luke Sheppard for Paddington The Musical
- Gillian Lynne Award For Best Theatre Choreographer: Ellen Kane for Paddington The Musical
The 2026 Olivier Awards celebrated not only the talent and dedication of those involved in theatre but also the enduring power of storytelling and the importance of supporting future generations of performers.
