EastEnders wins Best Serial Drama at NTAs 2023
EastEnders has won the most coveted trophy of the night, Best Serial Drama, at the 2023 National Television Awards.
The soap took home the final award of the night during Tuesday's (September 5) ceremony, winning over competitors Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks.
"This means so much to us, it's amazing. EastEnders really is a team effort. We are a family," EastEnders original Gillian Taylforth said in the soap's acceptance speech.
It was a huge night for EastEnders, as Danielle Harold won Serial Drama Performance for Lola Pearce-Brown's exit storyline and Bobby Brazier took home the Rising Star Award for his performance as Freddie Slater.
Related: NTAs 2023: All the red carpet looks from the National Television Awards
"This actually has very, very, very, very little to do with me and everything to do with my dad [Jeff Brazier]," Bobby told viewers.
The actor also credited the production team with being incredibly supportive since he had no real acting experience when he took on the role of Freddie Slater last year.
Soap bosses used the ceremony as a way to promote their upcoming Christmas whodunit by having its six leading ladies recreate their flashforward promo looks on the red carpet.
EastEnders' massive return story for Cindy Beale also got some love at the awards show when Michelle Collins appeared to present Danielle Harold with her Serial Drama Performance trophy.
Related: EastEnders airs updates on two missing characters in Cindy Beale return story
Fellow soap Emmerdale had a long stretch of dominating the Best Serial Drama category in the late 2010s, but its streak was finally broken in 2021 when Coronation Street took home the coveted prize. Emmerdale came roaring back, though, winning Best Serial Drama last year.
Last year's Serial Drama category was something of an anomaly, as Neighbours landed in contention for its then-final season. While Neighbours has since been revived and will be back on screens soon, its absence opened up a spot for Emmerdale and Hollyoaks to re-enter the race after missing out in 2022.
EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer.
Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage.
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