Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress

Last updated
Laurence Olivier Award
for Best Actress
Jodie comer 2023 5.jpg
2023 Recipient: Jodie Comer
Awarded forBest Actress in a Play
LocationFlag of England.svg  England
Presented by Society of London Theatre
First awarded 1985
Currently held by Jodie Comer for Prima Facie (2023)
Website officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/ OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

The Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Play is an annual award presented by the Society of London Theatre in recognition of achievements in commercial London theatre. The awards were established as the Society of West End Theatre Awards in 1976, and renamed in 1984 in honour of English actor and director Laurence Olivier.

Contents

This award was introduced in 1985, as Actress of the Year, then retitled to its current name for the 1993 ceremony. Prior to this award, from 1976 to 1984 (and again in 1988), there was a pair of awards given each year for this general category, one for Actress of the Year in a New Play and the other for Actress of the Year in a Revival.

Winners and nominees

Dame Judi Dench has won this award five times, for in 1977, 1980, 1983, 1987, and 1996 Judi Dench at the BAFTAs 2007.jpg
Dame Judi Dench has won this award five times, for in 1977, 1980, 1983, 1987, and 1996
Lindsay Duncan won this award twice in 1986 and 2002 Lindsay Duncan BAM 2011-01-15.jpg
Lindsay Duncan won this award twice in 1986 and 2002
Fiona Shaw won this award twice in 1989 and 1994 Fiona Shaw BAM 2011-01-16.jpg
Fiona Shaw won this award twice in 1989 and 1994
Juliet Stevenson won for Death and the Maiden (1992) Dustbin Baby- April and Marion crop.jpg
Juliet Stevenson won for Death and the Maiden (1992)
Claire Higgins won this award three times in 1995, 2003, and 2005 Clare Higgins.jpg
Claire Higgins won this award three times in 1995, 2003, and 2005
Janet McTeer won for A Doll's House (1997) Janet McTeer Berlin 2015.jpg
Janet McTeer won for A Doll's House (1997)
Zoe Wanamaker won for Electra (1998) Zoe Wanamaker.jpg
Zoë Wanamaker won for Electra (1998)
Dame Eileen Atkins won twice for The Unexpected Man (1999) and Honour (2005) Eileen atkins 2021 1.jpg
Dame Eileen Atkins won twice for The Unexpected Man (1999) and Honour (2005)
Julie Walters won for All My Sons (2001) Julie Walters 2014 (cropped).jpg
Julie Walters won for All My Sons (2001)
Eve Best won for the title role of Hedda Gabler (2006) Eve Best Laughing.jpg
Eve Best won for the title role of Hedda Gabler (2006)
Kristin Scott Thomas won for The Seagull (2008) Kristin Scott Thomas Cabourg 2013.jpg
Kristin Scott Thomas won for The Seagull (2008)
Tamsin Greig won for Much Ado About Nothing (2009) Tamsin Greig 2010.jpg
Tamsin Greig won for Much Ado About Nothing (2009)

1980s

YearActorPlayCharacter
1985
Yvonne Bryceland The Road to Mecca Miss Helen
Wendy Morgan MartineMartine
Harriet Walter The Castle Skinner
Joanne Whalley Saved Pam
1986
Lindsay Duncan Les Liaisons Dangereuses Marquise de Merteuil
Julia McKenzie Woman in Mind Susan
Juliet Stevenson As You Like It , Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Troilus and Cressida Rosalind / Madame de Tourvel / Cressida
Irene Worth The Bay at NiceValentina Nrovka
1987
Judi Dench Antony and Cleopatra Cleopatra
Miranda Richardson A Lie of the Mind Beth
Maggie Smith Lettice and Lovage and Coming in to LandLettice Douffet / Halina
Juliet Stevenson Yerma Yerma
1989/90
Fiona Shaw Electra , As You Like It and The Good Person of Szechwan Electra / Celia / Shen Te
Sheila Hancock PrinPrin
Jane Lapotaire Shadowlands Joy
Prunella Scales Single Spies Elizabeth II

1990s

YearActorPlayCharacter
1991
Kathryn Hunter The Visit Claire Zachanassian
Penny Downie Scenes from a Marriage Marianne
Barbara Jefford Coriolanus Volumnia
Josette Simon After the Fall Maggie
1992
Juliet Stevenson Death and the Maiden Paulina
Janet McTeer Uncle Vanya Yelena
Patricia Routledge Talking Heads Miss Schofield
Fiona Shaw Hedda Gabler Hedda Gabler Tesman
1993
Alison Steadman The Rise and Fall of Little Voice Mari
Stockard Channing Six Degrees of Separation Ouisa Kittredge
Judi Dench The Gift of the GorgonHelen
Jane Horrocks The Rise and Fall of Little Voice Little Voice
1994
Fiona Shaw Machinal Young Woman
Kathryn Hunter The Skriker Skriker
Diana Rigg Medea Medea
Penelope Wilton The Deep Blue Sea Hester Collyer
1995
Clare Higgins Sweet Bird of Youth Alexandra Del Lago
Frances de la Tour Les Parents terribles Leo
Sheila Gish Les Parents terribles Yvonne
Margot Leicester Broken Glass Sylvia Gellburg
1996
Judi Dench Absolute HellChristine Foskett
Diana Rigg Mother Courage Mother Courage
Zoë Wanamaker The Glass Menagerie Amanda Wingfield
Lia Williams Skylight Kyra Hollis
1997
Janet McTeer A Doll's House Nora Helmer
Eileen Atkins John Gabriel Borkman Mrs. Gunhild Borkman
Vanessa Redgrave John Gabriel Borkman Ella Rentheim
Diana Rigg Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Martha
1998
Zoë Wanamaker Electra Electra
Judi Dench Amy's View Esme Allen
Sally Dexter Closer Anna
Maggie Smith A Delicate Balance Claire
1999
Eileen Atkins The Unexpected Man Woman
Sinéad Cusack Our Lady of SligoMai O'Hara
Judi Dench Filumena Marturano Filumena
Nicole Kidman The Blue Room Various Characters
Diana Rigg Britannicus and Phèdre Agrippina / Phaedra

2000s

YearActorPlayCharacter
2000
Janie Dee Comic Potential Jacie Triplethree
Jennifer Ehle The Real Thing Annie
Maggie Smith The Lady in the Van Miss Shepherd
Alison Steadman The Memory of Water Teresa
2001
Julie Walters All My Sons Kate Keller
Jessica Lange Long Day's Journey Into Night Mary Tyrone
Helen Mirren Orpheus Descending Lady Torrance
Julia Ormond My Zinc Bed Elsa
Harriet Walter Life x 3 Sonia
2002
Lindsay Duncan Private Lives Amanda Prynne
Lindsay Duncan Mouth to MouthLaura
Victoria Hamilton A Day in the Death of Joe Egg Sheila
Zoë Wanamaker Boston Marriage Anna
2003
Clare Higgins Vincent in Brixton Ursula Loyer
Anita Dobson Frozen Nancy
Gwyneth Paltrow Proof Catherine
Emily Watson Uncle Vanya Sonya
2004
Eileen Atkins Honour Honor
Helen Mirren Mourning Becomes Electra Christine Mannon
Ann Mitchell Through the LeavesMartha
Kelly Reilly After Miss Julie Miss Julie
Kristin Scott Thomas Three Sisters Masha
2005
Clare Higgins Hecuba Hecuba
Victoria Hamilton Suddenly, Last Summer Catharine
Anna Maxwell Martin His Dark Materials Lyra
Caroline O'Connor Bombshells Performer
2006
Eve Best Hedda Gabler Hedda Gabler Tesman
Clare Higgins Death of a Salesman Linda Loman
Helen McCrory As You Like It Rosalind
Janet McTeer Mary Stuart Mary, Queen of Scots
Harriet Walter Mary Stuart Elizabeth I of England
2007
Tamsin Greig Much Ado About Nothing Beatrice
Eve Best A Moon for the Misbegotten Josie
Sinéad Cusack Rock 'n' Roll Eleanor / Esme
Kathleen Turner Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Martha
2008
Kristin Scott Thomas The Seagull Arkadina
Anne-Marie Duff Saint Joan Joan of Arc
Kelly Reilly Othello Desdemona
Fiona Shaw Happy Days Winnie
Penelope Wilton John Gabriel Borkman Ella Rentheim
2009
Margaret Tyzack The Chalk Garden Mrs St. Maugham
Deanna Dunagan August: Osage County Violet Weston
Lindsay Duncan That Face Martha
Penelope Wilton The Chalk Garden Miss Madrigal

2010s

Rachel Weisz won for A Streetcar Named Desire (2010) Rachel Weisz 2012.jpg
Rachel Weisz won for A Streetcar Named Desire (2010)
Ruth Wilson won for Anna Christie (2012) Ruth Wilson May 2015 (cropped).jpg
Ruth Wilson won for Anna Christie (2012)
Helen Mirren won for The Audience (2013) HelenMirrenHWOFJan2013.jpg
Helen Mirren won for The Audience (2013)
Lesley Manville won for Ghosts (2014) Leslie Manville (cropped).jpg
Lesley Manville won for Ghosts (2014)
Penelope Wilton won for Taken at Midnight (2015) Penelope Wilton 2013.jpg
Penelope Wilton won for Taken at Midnight (2015)
YearActorPlayCharacter
2010
Rachel Weisz A Streetcar Named Desire Blanche DuBois
Gillian Anderson A Doll's House Nora Helmer
Lorraine Burroughs The Mountaintop Camae
Imelda Staunton Entertaining Mr Sloane Kath
Juliet Stevenson Duet for One Stephanie Anderson
2011
Nancy Carroll After the Dance Joan
Tracie Bennett End of the Rainbow Judy Garland
Tamsin Greig The Little Dog Laughed Diane
Sophie Thompson Clybourne Park Bev
2012
Ruth Wilson Anna Christie Anna Christie
Celia Imrie Noises Off Dotty Otley
Lesley Manville GriefDorothy
Kristin Scott Thomas Betrayal Emma
Marcia Warren The Ladykillers Mrs Wilberforce
2013
Helen Mirren The Audience Queen Elizabeth II
Hattie Morahan A Doll's House Nora Helmer
Billie Piper The EffectConnie
Kristin Scott Thomas Old Times Kate / Anna
2014
Lesley Manville Ghosts Mrs. Helene Alving
Hayley Atwell The Pride Sylvia
Anna Chancellor Private Lives Amanda Prynne
Judi Dench Peter and Alice Alice Liddell
2015
Penelope Wilton Taken at Midnight Irmgard Litten
Gillian Anderson A Streetcar Named Desire Blanche DuBois
Kristin Scott Thomas Electra Electra
Imelda Staunton Good People Margie Walsh
2016
Denise Gough People, Places and ThingsEmma
Gemma Arterton Nell Gwynn Nell Gwynn
Nicole Kidman Photograph 51 Rosalind Franklin
Janet McTeer Les Liaisons dangereuses Marquise de Merteuil
Lia Williams Oresteia Clytemnestra
2017
Billie Piper Yerma Yerma
Glenda Jackson King Lear King Lear
Cherry Jones The Glass Menagerie Amanda Wingfield
Ruth Wilson Hedda Gabler Hedda Gabler Tesman
2018
Laura Donnelly The Ferryman Caitlin Carney
Lesley Manville Long Day's Journey into Night Mary Tyrone
Audra McDonald Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill Billie Holiday
Imelda Staunton Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Martha
2019
Patsy Ferran Summer and Smoke Alma Winemiller
Gillian Anderson All About Eve Margo Channing
Eileen Atkins The Height of the StormMadeleine
Sophie Okonedo Antony and Cleopatra Cleopatra
Katherine Parkinson Home, I'm Darling Judy

2020s

Sheila Atim won for Constellations (2022) Damson Idris (Joe), Sheila Atim (Keira) (12497877163) (cropped).jpg
Sheila Atim won for Constellations (2022)
Jodie Comer won for Prima Facie (2023) Jodie comer 2023 5.jpg
Jodie Comer won for Prima Facie (2023)
YearActorPlayCharacter
2020
Sharon D. Clarke Death of a Salesman Linda Loman
Hayley Atwell Rosmersholm Rebecca West
Juliet Stevenson The DoctorThe Doctor
Phoebe Waller-Bridge Fleabag Fleabag
2021Not presented due to extended closing of theatre productions during COVID-19 pandemic [upper-alpha 1]
2022 [upper-alpha 1]
Sheila Atim Constellations Marianne
Lily Allen 2:22 A Ghost Story Jenny
Emma Corrin Anna XAnna
Cush Jumbo Hamlet Hamlet
2023
Jodie Comer Prima Facie Tessa
Patsy Ferran A Streetcar Named Desire Blanche DuBois
Mei Mac My Neighbour Totoro Mei
Janet McTeer Phaedra (new version by Simon Stone)Helen
Nicola Walker The Corn Is Green Miss Moffat
2024
Laura Donnelly The Hills of California Veronica / Joan
Sophie Okonedo Medea Medea
Sarah Jessica Parker Plaza Suite Karen Nash / Muriel Tate / Norma Hubley
Sheridan Smith Shirley Valentine Shirley Valentine
Sarah Snook The Picture of Dorian Gray Performer / Various
  1. 1 2 Due to late March 2020 [1] to late July 2021 [2] closing of London theatre productions during the COVID-19 pandemic in England, the 2022 awards recognise productions that launched anytime from February 2020 to February 2022 [3]

Multiple awards and nominations for Best Actress

Note: The below awards and nominations include individuals awarded and nominated under the now-defunct categories Actress of the Year in a New Play and Actress of the Year in a Revival as well as the current combined Best Actress category.

Awards

Five awards
Three awards
Two awards

Nominations

Nine nominations
Six nominations
Five nominations
Four nominations
Three nominations
Two nominations

See also

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The Laurence Olivier Awards, or simply TheOlivier Awards, are presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognise excellence in professional theatre in London. The awards were originally known as the Society of West End Theatre Awards, but they were renamed in honour of the British actor of the same name in 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor</span> British theatrical award

The Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Play is an annual award presented by the Society of London Theatre in recognition of achievements in commercial London theatre. The awards were established as the Society of West End Theatre Awards in 1976, and renamed in 1984 in honour of English actor and director Laurence Olivier.

The Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play is an annual award presented by the Society of London Theatre in recognition of achievements in commercial London theatre. The awards were established as the Society of West End Theatre Awards in 1976, and renamed in 1984 in honour of English actor and director Laurence Olivier.

The Laurence Olivier Award for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play is an annual award presented by the Society of London Theatre in recognition of achievements in commercial London theatre. The awards were established as the Society of West End Theatre Awards in 1976, and renamed in 1984 in honour of English actor and director Laurence Olivier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laurence Olivier Award for Best Director</span>

The Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director is an annual award presented by the Society of London Theatre in recognition of achievements in commercial London theatre. The awards were established as the Society of West End Theatre Awards in 1976, and renamed in 1984 in honour of English actor and director Laurence Olivier.

The Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical is an annual award presented by the Society of London Theatre in recognition of achievements in commercial London theatre. The awards were established as the Society of West End Theatre Awards in 1976, and renamed in 1984 in honour of English actor and director Laurence Olivier.

The Laurence Olivier Award for Best Lighting Design is an annual award presented by the Society of London Theatre in recognition of achievements in commercial London theatre. The awards were established as the Society of West End Theatre Awards in 1976, and renamed in 1984 in honour of English actor and director Laurence Olivier.

The Gillian Lynne Award for Best Theatre Choreographer is an annual award presented by the Society of London Theatre in recognition of achievements in commercial London theatre. The awards were established as the Society of West End Theatre Awards in 1976, and renamed in 1984 in honour of English actor and director Laurence Olivier.

The Laurence Olivier Award for Best Revival is an annual award presented by the Society of London Theatre in recognition of achievements in commercial London theatre. The awards were established as the Society of West End Theatre Awards in 1976, and renamed in 1984 in honour of English actor and director Laurence Olivier.

The Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival is an annual award presented by the Society of London Theatre in recognition of achievements in commercial London theatre. The awards were established as the Society of West End Theatre Awards in 1976, and renamed in 1984 in honour of English actor and director Laurence Olivier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical</span> Annual award presented by The Society of London Theatre

The Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical is an annual award presented by the Society of London Theatre in recognition of achievements in commercial London theatre. The awards were established as the Society of West End Theatre Awards in 1976, and renamed in 1984 in honour of English actor and director Laurence Olivier.

The Laurence Olivier Award for Best Costume Design is an annual award presented by the Society of London Theatre in recognition of achievements in commercial London theatre. The awards were established as the Society of West End Theatre Awards in 1976, and renamed in 1984 in honour of English actor and director Laurence Olivier.

The Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role is an annual award presented by the Society of London Theatre in recognition of achievements in commercial London theatre. The Oliviers were established as the Society of West End Theatre Awards in 1976, and renamed in 1984 in honour of English actor and director Laurence Olivier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role</span>

The Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role is an annual award presented by the Society of London Theatre in recognition of achievements in commercial London theatre. The Oliviers were established as the Society of West End Theatre Awards in 1976, and renamed in 1984 in honour of English actor and director Laurence Olivier.

The Laurence Olivier Award for Best Family Show is an annual award presented by the Society of London Theatre in recognition of achievements in commercial London theatre. The awards were established as the Society of West End Theatre Awards in 1976, and renamed in 1984 in honour of English actor and director Laurence Olivier.

The Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical is an annual award presented by the Society of London Theatre in recognition of achievements in commercial London theatre. The awards were established as the Society of West End Theatre Awards in 1976, and renamed in 1984 in honour of English actor and director Laurence Olivier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical</span>

The Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical is an annual award presented by the Society of London Theatre in recognition of achievements in commercial London theatre. The awards were established as the Society of West End Theatre Awards in 1976, and renamed in 1984 in honour of English actor and director Laurence Olivier.

The Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actress, also known as the Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress since 2009, is an annual award presented by the Evening Standard in recognition of achievement in British theatre.

The Triple Crown or the Grand Slam are terms used in the entertainment industry to describe individuals who have won the three highest accolades recognised in British film, television, and theatre: a British Academy Film Award, a British Academy Television Award, and a Laurence Olivier Award respectively.

References

  1. Johnson, The Rt Hon Boris, MP (2020-03-23). Prime Minister's statement on coronavirus (COVID-19): 23 March 2020 [transcript] (Speech). Prime Minister's Televised Speech to the United Kingdom. www.gov.uk. London, UK. Archived from the original on 2020-06-09. Retrieved 2022-04-25. From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction  you must stay at home.{{cite speech}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. McPhee, Ryan (2021-06-14). "U.K. Postpones Reopening Roadmap; West End Theatres Will No Longer Reopen in Full in June". Playbill . Archived from the original on 2021-06-14. Retrieved 2022-04-25. Step 4 of the roadmap will allow productions to play without capacity restrictions. June 21 was the goal; now, the government is eyeing July 19.
  3. Thomas, Sophie (2022-03-08). "Everything you need to know about the Olivier Awards". londontheatre.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2022-04-11. Retrieved 2022-04-25. Any new production that opened between 19 Feb. 2020 to 22 Feb. 2022 are eligible for categories in the 2022 Olivier Awards. With two years worth of shows set for honours in one year's ceremony, the 2022 Olivier Awards will prove tougher competition than before.