Paddington The Musical dominated the 2026 Olivier Awards, scooping a record seven prizes including Best New Musical. The ceremony, marking the awards’ 50th anniversary, celebrated a range of standout performances from Rachel Zegler, Rosamund Pike and others.

The Olivier Awards 2026 took place on 12 April at the Royal Albert Hall, hosted by Nick Mohammed and broadcast on BBC Two. Paddington The Musical was the evening’s biggest winner, receiving seven awards — the most for any new musical in Olivier history.

Tom Fletcher and Jessica Swale earned Best New Musical for their collaboration on Paddington. James Hameed and Arti Shah jointly won Best Actor in a Musical for their shared role as the titular Paddington. Victoria Hamilton-Barritt and Tom Edden were recognised in supporting acting categories, while Luke Sheppard won Best Director.

The production’s creative team also triumphed, with Tom Pye and Ash J Woodward collecting Best Set Design, and Gabriella Slade and Tahra Zafar winning Best Costume Design. The sweep firmly established Paddington’s impact on this year’s awards.

Two other musicals took home two awards each. Jamie Lloyd’s Evita saw Rachel Zegler honoured as Best Actress in a Musical, with Fabian Aloise winning Best Theatre Choreographer. Into the Woods was named Best Musical Revival, with lighting designers Aideen Malone and Roland Horvath also recognised.

Among plays, All My Sons won Best Revival, with Paapa Essiedu taking Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Jack Holden won Best Actor for Kenrex, paired with Giles Thomas’s Best Sound Design. Punch claimed Best New Play, and Julie Hesmondhalgh was awarded Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Rosamund Pike received Best Actress for Inter Alia.

Good Night, Oscar was acknowledged for Outstanding Musical Contribution, credited to Chris Fenwick and Sean Hayes. Other winners included Oh, Mary! for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play, The Boy at the Back of the Class for Best Family Show, and The Glass Menagerie for Best New Production in Affiliate Theatre.

In the dance and opera categories, Into the Hairy won Best New Dance Production, while Dead Man Walking took Best New Opera Production. Elaine Paige received a Special Award, presented by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Industry Recognition Awards honoured Betty Laine, Linda Tolhurst and David Wood.