Belfast actor James Martin – who has enjoyed global success for his portrayal of Lorcan in the Oscar-winning short film An Irish Goodbye – took home the Brian Waddell Award for his outstanding contribution to the industry at the RTS Northern Ireland Television Awards this month.
The black comedy about two estranged brothers was shot in Northern Ireland.
Martin, the first leading man with Down’s syndrome to appear in an Oscar-winning film, said: “It’s absolutely wonderful to receive this recognition in my home town. I hope my success encourages more young people like me to follow their dreams as I did.”
In March, Martin took home the Outstanding Newcomer prize at the RTS Republic of Ireland Awards.
RTS Northern Ireland Chair Fiona Campbell said: “It is a real pleasure to celebrate the incredible talent of our very own James Martin. As an industry, we have a unique platform in which we can smash prejudice by ensuring that we are inclusive both on-screen and behind the cameras.”
The eighth RTS Northern Ireland Television Awards were held at City Hall, Belfast, and hosted by homegrown drag queen Blu Hydrangea, who found fame on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
The third and final series of Channel 4 sitcom Derry Girls, made by Hat Trick Productions, took the Comedy prize. One of the show’s stars, Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, won the On-screen Talent award for The Real Derry: Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, which was made by Tyrone Productions.
BBC Northern Ireland enjoyed a productive night at the awards, picking up the Entertainment award for The Belfast Mixtape: Songs from Lockdown and the Current Affairs prize for Spotlight: The Babymaker Uncovered.
A number of BBC commissions also received recognition: Waddell Media’s The Chronicles of Strangford, won the Lifestyle/Features award; The Fast and the Farmer-ish from Alleycats TV, Factual Entertainment; Walk on Air Films and Ronachan Films’ Brian Friel: Shy Man, Showman, Specialist Factual; and Zodiak’s sci-fi drama Silverpoint for CBBC, Children’s and Animation
Irish-language crime drama Doineann from Belfast production company DoubleBand Films won the Drama award, while Aisling Productions and Soilsiu Films took home the Documentary prize for Young Plato: The Philosophy Boys of Ardoyne.
Gareth McGreevy, Chair of the RTS Northern Ireland Television Awards, said: “The high quality of this year’s entries is hugely reflective of our dynamic creative community. The judges had a tough time deciding the eventual winners.”
The awards were sponsored by Belfast post-production house Ka-Boom and supported by BBC Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen and Channel 4.
RTS Northern Ireland Television Awards winners
Brian Waddell Award - James Martin
Drama - Doineann - DoubleBand Films
Comedy - Derry Girls - Hat Trick Productions for Channel 4
Entertainment - The Belfast Mixtape: Songs from Lockdown - BBC NI
Factual Entertainment - The Fast and the Farmer-ish - Alleycats TV for BBC Three
Lifestyle/Features - Chronicles of Strangford - Waddell Media for BBC NI
Specialist Factual - Brian Friel: Shy Man, Showman - Walk on Air Films and Ronachan Films for BBC NI
Documentary - Young Plato: The Philosophy Boys of Ardoyne - Aisling Productions and Soilsiu Films
Current Affairs - Spotlight: The Babymaker Uncovered - BBC NI
News Coverage - UTV Live: Dying on the Streets - UTV
On-screen Talent - Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, The Real Derry: Jamie-Lee O’Donnell - Tyrone Productions for Channel 4
Children’s/Animation - Silverpoint - Zodiak Kids & Family Productions UK for CBBC
Original Music Score - Andrew Simon McAllister, Nowhere Special
