“Heidi Thomas is a true one off – a creative power house whose talent for creating three-dimensional, beautifully drawn characters is fully matched by her ability for writing storylines that entertain and enthral viewers in their millions. The enduring success of Call the Midwife is a testament to her extraordinary creativity and dedication to such a very special show that never shies away from challenging subject matter which makes it utterly unique.” – CHARLOTTE MOORE

“Call the Midwife has been keeping us all entertained for over a decade, a mammoth achievement which can be attributed to the memoirs of nurse and midwife Jennifer Worth, on which it’s based, its ever-evolving cast and Heidi Thomas, the brain behind the brilliant operation. The creator, writer and executive producer continues to find ways to tap into what people love so much about the BBC period drama while also carrying the narrative forwards as we head into the 1970s, which is no small feat. And on a more profound level, Thomas has continually ensured that women’s stories and voices remain at the forefront of the conversation, which might not seem as revolutionary in 2023 given the wealth of female-led projects on offer, but her work undoubtedly paved the way for countless other women who are now making their mark on the world. It’s a glittering legacy that makes Thomas one of the most influential creators working today.” – ABBY ROBINSON, RADIOTIMES.COM DRAMA EDITOR

13. Harry and Meghan

“It was a big year for Harry and Meghan, as they invited viewers into their lives following their decision to step down as senior members of the royal family in 2020. Talking candidly about their new life in California, as well as sharing moments from their courtship, marriage and eventual exit from the UK, the six-part documentary gave viewers a chance to hear the couple’s side of events. And what a viewing success it was, with the documentary becoming Netflix’s biggest factual debut yet, as the first three episodes racked up 81.55m viewing hours around the world in its first week. If that wasn’t enough, the couple signed a five-year deal with the streaming giant reportedly worth $100 million – so we can expect a lot more from them in the coming years.” – GRACE HENRY, RADIOTIMES.COM ENTERTAINMENT AND FACTUAL EDITOR

14. Kit Connor

Netflix

“Despite having already featured in the likes of Rocketman and His Dark Materials, Kit Connor truly was launched into the international spotlight with his moving and charismatic screen presence as Nick in Netflix’s Heartstopper. Now with film castings and a devoted fan following, Kit Connor is a face we can expect to see on our screens again and again.” – LEWIS KNIGHT, RADIOTIMES.COM TRENDS EDITOR

15. Joe Locke

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

“A total unknown before his breakout role as Charlie in Netflix’s Heartstopper, Locke’s immense likability and effervescence shone throughout the show’s first run. Now the social media savvy star is set to appear in Marvel series Agatha: Coven of Chaos opposite the likes of Kathryn Hahn, and these days there are few surer signs of mainstream success.” – LEWIS KNIGHT

16. Sadie Sink

Netflix

“Sadie Sink’s breakout role was as the feisty, fearless Max in Stranger Things. The tough skater-girl first appeared in series 2 and quickly became a firm favourite with audiences. Sink has an extraordinary ability to combine brooding teenage anger with wit and vulnerability, giving a truly memorable performance. Her reputation as one of the most exciting young actors of her generation was consolidated by her outstanding performance in Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale playing Brendan Fraser’s estranged daughter.” – DAME PIPPA HARRIS

17. Chris Clenshaw

BBC

“Since Chris Clenshaw became the Executive Producer on EastEnders, you can’t deny how the soap has gone from strength to strength. Mind-blowing plot twists, devastating real-life storylines and of course the same classic humour we love from the genre have all combined to create a near-perfect era for the soap, which is full of ambition and entertainment. Clenshaw is proving himself to be a master of the genre, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for the residents of Walford (not least who dies in the Christmas flash-forward!).” – HELEN DALY, RADIOTIMES.COM ASSOCIATE EDITOR

18. Jenna Ortega

Axelle / Bauer-Griffin / Getty Images

“Jenna Ortega firmly stole the spotlight last year with her performance in Tim Burton’s Addams Family revival, Wednesday. Starring in the titular role, Jenna redefined Wednesday for the modern day, and expertly captured her character’s wickedly cynical worldview, curiosity and intelligence. Her wit, humour and poise struck a chord with audiences all across the world and we can’t wait to see what she’ll do next when Wednesday returns for a second season.” – ANNE MENSAH

19. Joe Lycett

Channel 4 / Rob Parfitt

“Comedian Joe Lycett has really stepped into his power over the last year, leveraging his position as a household-name comic and trusted presenter to enact meaningful change and push other public figures to make better decisions for the good of society and the planet. Making the nation think whilst also making his devout followers chuckle with as much regularity as ever, Lycett is a shining example of using your platform for good (without squandering your skills in the process).” – ROB LEANE RADIOTIMES.COM GAMING EDITOR

20. Mo Gilligan

Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage

“Last year, Mo Gilligan kept us laughing with the release of his second Netflix comedy special, There’s Mo to Life. Mo’s high-energy, common touch and outstanding humour allowed him to bring light and laughter to a range of topics including being a broke teenager and the joys of working in a London retail store. We look forward to seeing him continue to thrive this year across his stand-up comedy and hosting projects.” – ANNE MENSAH

SPOTLIGHT ON… 21. Jodie Whittaker

BBC

“Jodie made Doctor Who history as the first female Doctor and her time on the show is indelibly marked on our memories. She instantly became a huge success and was welcomed by fans around the world as the Thirteenth Doctor. Everyone she worked with all said how welcome she made them, she was a great company leader both on and off screen and really inhabited the traits of the Doctor. She also knew how important that role is to the viewers which showed in her performance. She’s a brilliantly gifted actress and I can’t wait to see what’s next.” – CHARLOTTE MOORE

22. Ukraine Eurovision winners

23. Jack Rooke

24. Sharon Horgan

25. Mike White

26. Joseph Quinn

27. Romesh Ranganathan

28. Simone Ashley

29. Sam Ryder

30. Jackie Woodburne

31. Elizabeth Debicki

32. Milly Alcock

33. Leo Woodall

34. Steven Knight

35. Jamie Dornan

36. Lesley Manville

37. Tony Schumacher

38. Mark Charnock

39. Ambika Mod

40. Zendaya

41. Clive Myrie

42. Jack Thorne

43. Paddy Considine

SPOTLIGHT ON… 44. Will Sharpe

HBO

“This year, Will got the wider global attention he’s long-deserved thanks to his stand-out performance in The White Lotus series 2. Not only is he an extraordinary actor, but he writes, directs and is generally just far too talented. We can’t wait to see what he does next.” – DAN GRABINER, HEAD OF ORIGINALS, UK AT AMAZON STUDIOS

45. Alison Hammond

46. Bob Odenkirk

47. Danielle Macdonald

48. Leon Harrop & Sarah Gordy

49. Cillian Murphy

50. Sally Wainwright

51. Daisy May Cooper

SPOTLIGHT ON… 52. Sir Lenny Henry

NIKLAS HALLE’N/AFP via Getty Images

“Lenny Henry is a legend. He is hugely talented as a writer, actor and comedian, incredibly clever and a trailblazing activist. We should all be more Sir Lenny.” – NICOLA SHINDLER

53. Ayo Edebiri

54. Olivia Cooke

55. David Tennant

56. Nicola Walker

57. Dan Erickson

58. Sacha Dhawan

59. Lydia Adetunji

60. Selin Hizli

61. Emer Kenny

62. Chris Lang

63. Matt Smith

64. Cast of The Traitors

65. Russell T Davies

66. Nicola Coughlan

67. Hugo Blick

68. Masali Baduza

69. Monica Dolan

70. Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu

71. Harry & Jack Williams

72. Ant & Dec

73. Julia Garner

74. Douglas Henshall

75. Suranne Jones

SPOTLIGHT ON… 76. Sue Vertue

Getty

“Sue combines the experience of a TV legend with the sheer enthusiasm of someone who’s just started. Her list of credits speaks for itself, and she is an inspiration to work with, bringing joy to everyone in her orbit.” – DAN GRABINER

77. Mandip Gill

78. Wunmi Mosaku

79. Jack Rowan

80. Mark Stanley

81. Steven Moffat

82. Cast of Ghosts

83. Ben Whishaw

84. Micheal Ward

85. Connor Swindells

86. Daniel Laurie

87. Chris Chibnall

88. Daryl McCormack

89. Iman Vellani

90. Joe Barton

91. Lee Mack

92. Lauren Lyle

SPOTLIGHT ON… 93. Sir Kenneth Branagh

Getty

“Kenneth Branagh blew us away with his powerful and transformational performance as Boris Johnson in This England, one of Sky’s most compelling titles last year. Sky was pleased to have retold one of the most extraordinary and unprecedented events this county has ever faced, and Branagh’s performance did us proud.” – ZAI BENNETT

94. Dolly Alderton

95. Stanley Tucci

96. Ryan Murphy

97. Simona Tabasco

98. Kane Robinson

99. Eddie Marsan

100. Selena Gomez

Full list of contributors:

• Charlotte Moore, Chief Content Officer, BBC TV and Radio
• Dame Pippa Harris, Neal Street Productions, Co-Founder
• Marina Storti, Managing Director, NOW
• Damien Timmer, Joint-Managing Director, Mammoth Screen
• Kenton Allen, Chief Executive, Big Talk Productions
• Zai Bennett, Managing Director of Content, Sky UK and Ireland
• Nicola Shindler, Executive Producer/Chief Executive of Quay Street Productions
• Suki Bergg, Development Executive at Brock Media/Head of Development at BBC Studios
• Phillippa Giles, Managing Director, Bandit
• Dan Grabiner, Head of Originals, UK at Amazon Studios
• Anne Mensah, Vice President, Netflix
• ITV

If you’re looking for something to watch tonight, head over to our handy TV Guide.

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