"EastEnders"
BAFTA has announced that “EastEnders” is the recipient of this year’s BAFTA Television Craft Special Award — one of the highest honours given by the academy. In the same year that “EastEnders” celebrates its 40th anniversary on screen, the award recognises the show’s long-standing commitment to developing new talent behind the scenes. Its production processes have helped launch the careers of many leading figures in both the UK and international film and television industries.
The series has a strong legacy of spotting, supporting, and nurturing emerging talent through various trainee initiatives. Since 2015, it has participated in the BBC’s Continuing New Directors’ Training Scheme. In 2021, it reinforced its commitment to increasing representation of minority groups in directing by partnering with Directors UK on the Diversity Director Training Scheme. Over the past year, it has introduced three more talent development programmes: the Writers’ Studio, Ascend Acting Workshops, and the Multi-Camera Directing Course.
“EastEnders” has also expanded opportunities via its WEBBY-winning spin-off “EastEnders: E20” (2010), which featured early work by BAFTA-winning writer Nicôle Lecky, writer and actress Emer Kenny, and actor Tosin Cole (“Doctor Who”, “Supercel”). It was also the first programme to trial a carbon calculator to measure its environmental impact — a pioneering sustainability effort that inspired the naming of BAFTA albert’s carbon footprint calculator after “EastEnders’” Albert Square.
The legendary British soap is acclaimed for its strong behind-the-camera team, drawing top-tier industry talent. Notable alumni include director Tom Hooper, who later won an Academy Award for “The King’s Speech”; BAFTA-winning writer Sarah Phelps (“The Sixth Commandment”); former Executive Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins, who went on to produce “Rivals” and “A Very English Scandal”; and Sumerah Srivastav, who progressed from researcher to writer, with credits such as “Missing You”, “Manifest”, and “Lupin”. The BAFTA Special Award will be presented to “EastEnders” at the BAFTA Television Craft Awards ceremony on Sunday 27 April. This year’s event, held at The Brewery, will once again be hosted by award-winning presenter Stacey Dooley.
Charlotte Moore, Outgoing Chief Content Officer at the BBC celebrated the well-deserved recognition of the show's remarkable legacy: "We are thrilled that BAFTA has awarded “EastEnders” with the Television Craft Special Award. It’s a testament to all those working behind the scenes who produce a continuing drama that has entertained the nation for over 40 years. The show has nurtured, trained, and produced some of the best talent within the industry, with many still working there — and, as an industry, we should be very grateful for what the show produces both on and off screen," stated.
Finally, Hilary Rosen, Chair of the BAFTA Television Committee regarded the title as a hallmark of British production: ‘“EastEnders” is a towering force in British television — an era-defining soap that has captivated audiences for over 40 years. What makes it even more remarkable is the work it does behind the camera: tireless dedication to nurturing fresh talent, championing underrepresented voices, and fuelling the engine at the heart of our industry. So many of today’s leading creatives got their start through this production, and its legacy continues to help shape the next generation of writers, directors, and producers. We’re thrilled to honour “EastEnders” and its powerful off-screen impact at this year's BAFTA Television Craft Awards with this Special Award," added.