AceShowbiz - The nominations for the 2026 Banff World Media Festival’s prestigious Rockie Awards have been revealed, highlighting a strong presence of American and British television series. The U.S. leads with 55 nominations, followed by the United Kingdom with 39 mentions.

Among the prominent networks, the BBC stands out with 26 nominations, while National Geographic secures 10 nods and Hulu garners eight. The Rockie Awards feature an international competition where U.S. productions compete alongside global series in various categories.

In the best English language drama category, Canadian shows Heated Rivalry and Plan B face off against American heavyweights The Handmaid’s Tale and The Pitt, as well as the British drama Reckless. This lineup promises an intense battle of storytelling across continents.

The best English language comedy category is dominated by American series, including Only Murders in the Building, Abbott Elementary, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Chair Company, and The Rehearsal. This lineup reflects the strong comedic output from the U.S. market.

Game and competition shows also feature notable nominations. Titles such as Destination X, Next Level Baker, and Shark Tank are nominated alongside Canadian shows like The Box and The Traitors Canada, showcasing an exciting range of formats competing for recognition.

The animated series category is largely dominated by 20th Television Animation, with nominations for American Dad!, Bob’s Burgers, Futurama, and The Simpsons. Taiwan’s Brave Animated Series also receives a well-earned mention, highlighting international animation talent.

In acting categories, the best drama performance nominations feature Malin Akerman for The Hunting Wives, Jacob Elordi for The Narrow Road to the Deep North, James Nelson-Joyce for This City is Ours, Narges Rashidi for Prisoner 951, and Amanda Seyfried for Long Bright River. These nominees represent a diverse range of dramatic talent.

The best comedy performance category includes multiple nominations for actors in the rom-com Film Club, including Nabhaan Rizwan, Suranne Jones, and Aimee Lou Wood. Other nominees are Mawaan Rizwan for Juice and Timothy Spall for Death Valley, reflecting strong comedic performances across the board.

Hosting the Rockie Awards ceremony on June 16 will be Allana Harkin from Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. The full list of 2026 Banff Rockies Awards nominations is available on the festival’s official website ahead of the Banff World Media Festival, which will take place from June 14 to 17.

This year’s nominations highlight the global scope and competitive spirit of the Banff Rockie Awards, celebrating excellence in television from comedy and drama to animation and reality programming.