Benedict Cumberbatch

The event recognises actors’ efforts on stage over the last year and this year includes many faces from the small screen. Here are some of the best known names from television featured among this year's nominees.

The event is part of the BBC Shakespeare Festival which will take place in April to mark 400 years since the writer’s death.

The live television event will be hosted by David Tennant and directed by RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran, and will feature Dame Judi Dench, Sir Ian McKellen, Joseph Fiennes, the English National Opera and more.