The BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises on 10 May became a vibrant showcase for queer talent, both on screen and behind the scenes. Performances from musicians Cat Burns and AURORA helped set a celebratory tone, while the winners list reflected a broad sweep of genres — from high-stakes reality to intimate limited drama, long-running soaps and sports broadcasts. This article pulls together the most notable triumphs and considers why those moments matter for LGBTQIA+ representation in mainstream television.
The evening honoured a range of programmes that resonated with queer audiences and allies. Standouts included the BBC’s The Celebrity Traitors in the Reality category, Netflix’s four-part Adolescence as Limited Drama, a milestone recognition for EastEnders in the Soap slot, and a special nod to the coverage of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2026. Beyond trophies, memorable moments such as Alan Carr’s celebrated win earned the P&O Cruises Memorable Moment Award, underlining how queer personalities continue to create buzz and conversation.
Standout winners and what they brought to the night
The Celebrity Traitors captured the Reality award with its blend of theatricality and strategy. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, the celebrity edition reunited familiar faces and friendly rivalries: contestants included queer-identified figures such as Cat Burns, Clare Balding, Alan Carr and Stephen Fry. The format hinges on a small number of players secretly cast as Traitors who try to eliminate the rest — known in the game as Faithfuls — and to walk away with the full charity prize if their deception holds. The series’ camp, quotable moments and charitable stakes explain both its popularity and industry recognition.
Adolescence, a four-part drama on Netflix, won the award for Limited Drama thanks to its unflinching storytelling and standout performances. The plot centres on a family rocked by the arrest of 13-year-old Jamie for the death of a schoolmate, and the ripple effects that follow. Erin Doherty plays Briony, a clinical child psychologist whose role anchors the series’ emotional complexity. Alongside BAFTA success, the show has been recognised across other major awards circuits, building momentum at the Critics’ Choice Awards, Golden Globes and Emmys.
Soaps, sport and why representation matters
EastEnders and the resonance of #Sukeve
EastEnders continues to be an important touchstone for queer viewers after more than four decades on air. The relationship between Suki and Eve — affectionately tagged by fans as #Sukeve — has been central to recent storylines, including a turbulent wedding episode and the couple’s current adoption arc. The plot has moved from drama to a steadier, more hopeful phase, allowing viewers to see a same-sex relationship navigate family-building in a mainstream soap. For many, that day-to-day visibility within a popular serial drama is as significant as headline-grabbing moments.
UEFA Women’s Euro 2026 and sports coverage
Sporting coverage also earned applause at the awards table: the broadcast team behind the UEFA Women’s Euro 2026 received a special recognition in the Sports Coverage category. Following the Lionesses’ victory the year before, the tournament showcased a roster of openly queer and ally players, including Beth Mead, Jess Carter and Leah Williamson. Beyond the results, the broadcast foregrounded narratives of diversity and inclusion, helping to normalise queer identities in football and encouraging a broader conversation about access and representation in sport.
Backing queer media: how to keep the momentum
Long-standing platforms matter. DIVA has spent more than 30 years centring media made by and for queer women and gender diverse people, and the magazine’s recent transition to a charity reflects a commitment to sustainable community media. It is now published by the DIVA Charitable Trust, and readers who want to help ensure the next generation of queer storytelling can find out more via linkin.bio/ig-divamagazine or at divacharitabletrust.com. Supporting such outlets — financially or through readership and sharing — helps preserve spaces that amplify underrepresented voices.
Collectively, the awards night signalled that mainstream recognition and grassroots support can coexist: high-profile wins at the BAFTA Television Awards highlight cultural moments, while organisations like DIVA Charitable Trust sustain ongoing representation. Whether through a buzzy reality format, a hard-hitting limited drama, a beloved soap or landmark sports coverage, these programs demonstrate that queer stories continue to capture audiences and industry attention in meaningful ways.