Emmerdale stars talk NTA nominations as soap is up for 3 awards

Last year’s winner Emmerdale is again nominated for Best Serial Drama. 

Whilst on the back of his portrayal of Paddy’s mental health storyline Dominic Brunt who plays loveable Paddy Kirk is shortlisted for best Serial Drama Performance. It is the first time in Dominic’s 26 years of being on Emmerdale that he has been nominated for an NTA. 

Whilst soap newcomer Lewis Cope has been nominated in the Rising Star category.  

Viewers can vote here: https://bit.ly/EmmerdaleNTAVoteNowFB

This is what both actors had to say about their nominations. 

Nicky Milligan is played by Lewis Cope

How does it feel to be shortlisted in the ‘Rising Star’ category at this year’s National Television Awards? 

I am over the moon, it feels so nice to be appreciated and I am super grateful. 

Nicky has had a big year, what have you most enjoyed about playing Nicky? And what has been your favourite storyline? 

I really enjoyed the period where Nicky was playing Gabby and reporting back to his dad Caleb. 

Are you looking forward to attending the awards ceremony?

I was in a restaurant last year and there was a group of people on the table opposite going to the NTA’s and I thought to myself I wish I was going – so to be there this year and nominated is super exciting. 

Dominic Brunt (Paddy) has also been nominated for an NTA award. Did you enjoy Paddy’s mental health storyline?I thought Dominic’s mental health storyline was done beautifully, the writing and the acting. It was very real and everyone did an amazing job of telling the story and addressing the topic. 

Emmerdale is shortlisted too. Do you think we can make it 2 years in a row? 

Someone has to win so why can’t it be us. Everyone works super hard and it would be great to get it 2 years in a row. 

What would it mean to win an award like this?

Winning this award would be crazy. Not just for me but for my mam and people who have helped me along the way against the odds. 

Paddy Dingle is played by Dominic Brunt

How does it feel to have been nominated for Serial Drama Performance for an NTA award?  (He’s been nominated for the first time in his 26 year history on the show. ) 

It’s an honour, I have never been nominated before so I’m quite nervous. But it’s amazing to be nominated and a testament to the research and the writing that went on for that specific story.

 
Paddy has had a big year, reflecting in your storyline are you pleased with the way it was received by the audience?

I spoke to the charity Andy’s Man Club and they said their attendance levels went up due to the storyline. So if we’ve saved someone from that suffering, that level of depression, where they felt they needed to go and get help, then that feels like it’s a massive job done really. 

Emmerdale is shortlisted too. Do you think we can make it 2 years in a row? I hope we do. I think we all deserve it. It’s a nice building to work in and a great team. It feels unique in that way compared to other places I’ve worked. 

Lewis Cope has also been nominated in the Rising Star category I’m thrilled to bits that Lewis Cope’s been nominated in the ‘Rising Star’ category, It’s really well deserved and he’s a really nice lad and a hard worker.

Are you looking forward to attending the awards ceremony?

I’m nervous but will try and just enjoy it without worrying about seeing myself on the big screen. But I’m really looking forward to it. I don’t care if I don’t win. It sounds cheesy but I absolutely mean it. I felt like I’d won all the awards when I got the job.  I still remember I was on a mates settee, subletting a front room in London when I got a phone call for an audition and it changed my life completely. I just want to enjoy the night. The thought that I’ve been nominated for an NTA is enough for me.