NETFLIX period drama Bridgerton has reached the final round of voting in the National Television Awards’ best new drama category.
Although the series – which was watched by 82 million households in the first month of its release - is set in Regency era London, many of its scenes are filmed in Bath, Somerset – including at the Royal Crescent, the Guildhall, the Holburne Museum and the Assembly Rooms.
Bath and North East Somerset Council estimated that the show would add £1.5 million to the local economy.
The drama was renewed for a second series in January.
Its creator, Chris Van Dusen, revealed in April on Twitter that there will be a third and fourth series.
The first eight-episode series, based on a series of novels by Julia Quinn, premiered on Christmas Day.
Bridgerton has been shortlisted alongside It’s a Sin, Russell T Davies’ critically acclaimed miniseries about five friends living in London during the AIDS pandemic.
Des, starring David Tennant as Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilsen, has been shortlisted in the same category.
Normal People, a 12-part series based on Sally Rooney’s award-winning novel of the same name, rounds off the best new drama shortlist.
Longlisted programmes that failed to make the final round of voting in the category include The Pembrokeshire Murders, Quiz, The Salisbury Poisonings and Channel 5’s All Creatures Great and Small.
Fans of Bridgerton can vote for it online on the National Television Awards website.
Votes cast now will be added to those from the first round of voting, which closed on Friday, June 4.
The winner will be revealed live on ITV at the O2 Arena in London on Thursday, September 9.
The 26th National Television Awards will be hosted by comedian Joel Dommett, who said: "It’s a huge honour to be hosting the NTAs this year! It still feels like someone has made a wonderful error. I really, really love TV and can’t wait to celebrate the best stuff from what’s been a very weird year or so."
Bridgerton stars Regé-Jean Page, Phoebe Dynevor, Jonathan Bailey, Golda Rosheuvel and Julie Andrews.
The show follows Dynevor as Daphne Bridgerton, the eldest daughter of the powerful Bridgerton family, as she makes her debut on Regency London’s competitive marriage market.
Initially, it seems as if she has plenty of potential suitors, but her brother starts to rule them out – leading to the mysterious Lady Whistledown to cast aspersions on Daphne in her high society scandal sheet.
Daphne becomes drawn to the rebellious Duke of Hastings (Page), and they find themselves engaged in a battle of wits while navigating society’s expectations for their futures.
Another National Television Award candidate with a connection to Bath is Bill Bailey, who was born in the city and grew up in Keynsham.
Bailey won last year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing with his dance partner Oti Mabuse.
The BBC dance contest has been shortlisted alongside Britain’s Got Talent, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and The Masked Singer in the best talent show category.
You can cast your vote for the National Television Awards HERE. Voting closes at noon on Thursday, September 9.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here