BBC World Service names 2026 drama winners

Three new audio dramas are set for BBC studio production after the World Service named its 2026 competition winners.

The BBC World Service International Audio Drama Competition received more than 800 entries from 87 countries, with winners chosen through a process involving the British Council and an international panel of readers and judges.

The winners and commendations were announced at an event hosted by Fiona Shaw CBE at the Commonwealth Foundation in London on 1 June, where invited guests heard preview excerpts from the winning dramas.

In the English as a First Language category, Finegan Kruckemayer from Australia won with Here, on a High Hill. The play follows four teenagers passing time and reflecting on life in a graveyard in South West Ireland.

In the English as a Second Language category, Idi Nasiru from Nigeria won with Aisha’s Horizon. The drama tells the story of Aisha, a young refugee woman whose journey begins after her family is killed and continues as she faces life in a refugee camp and a dangerous route towards Europe.

The Georgi Markov Award went to Rukshani Weerasooriya Wijemanne, Rushika Weerasooriya Heinle and Rajeev Colton from Sri Lanka for There is Something I am Feeling.

The judges described the play as a beautifully told story about family, memory and a country in unrest, praising its emotional imagery and detail.

Simon Pitts, Commissioning Editor at BBC World Service, said: “Audio drama at the BBC is over 100 years old and is in very good health.”

Simon added that the BBC World Service was “proud to support and develop creative talent around the world.”

Neil Webb, Director Theatre and Dance at the British Council, said sharing creative ideas across borders “enriches us all”, and said he hoped the forthcoming dramas would inspire audiences and artists to explore audio drama.

Commendations were also given to 53 Minutes by Ayo Moore from Nigeria, Men of Clay by Deirdre Callery from Ireland and A Spring Funeral by Aubree Wu from China.

Image: Fiona Shaw CBE (centre) with the two winners, Idi Nasiru (left) and Finegan Kruckemeyer (right).