Sir Lenny Henry to be recognised for outstanding achievement at Edinburgh TV Awards 2025

The Edinburgh TV Festival (ETF), the UK’s leading television industry event brought to you by Screen Scotland, has unveiled the shortlist for its prestigious TV Awards supported by Cast & Crew. Among the highlights is the Outstanding Achievement Award, which will be presented to Sir Lenny Henry in recognition of his 50-year career, coinciding with the Festival’s 50th Anniversary. The ceremony will take place on Thursday 21 August as part of the Edinburgh TV Festival.

In 2025, television continues to thrive as a powerful force for connection, creativity, and cultural influence -driven by bold storytelling, diverse voices, and innovative formats. From emotionally resonant dramas and genre-defying comedies to reality formats that challenge convention and scripted series that push narrative boundaries, this year’s nominees reflect the impact television can have, both on audiences and society at large. 

This year, the TV Awards also proudly recognises Sir Lenny Henry with the Outstanding Achievement Award, celebrating a career that has that has helped shape the landscape of British television and culture. A pioneering talent, Sir Lenny has captivated audiences for five decades through his comedy, presenting, writing and acting, with roles in acclaimed series such as, The Rings of Power, Broadchurch, The Syndicate, Chef! and The Witcher: The Blood Origin, as well as stage performances including The Comedy of Errors at The National, Fences at the Duchess Theatre and The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui at the Donmar Warehouse.

Beyond his on-screen achievements, he has been an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the industry, using his platform - and his television production company Esmerelda - to champion underrepresented voices and drive meaningful change. His co-founding of Comic Relief has raised over £1 billion for global causes since 1985, and he has established a centre for Media Diversity at Birmingham City University, highlighting his profound impact beyond entertainment. This award honours not only his creative brilliance but also his commitment to making television a more inclusive and inspiring space for all.

The ceremony will be hosted by double Emmy-nominated actor, comedian and writer Nick Mohammed, whose career has earned him both critical acclaim and a devoted following. Best known for his role as Nathan Shelley in the global hit Ted Lasso, Nick has recently appeared in Prime Video’s Deep Cover, and Renegade Nell for Disney+. 

The shortlist for this year’s Awards is packed full of the best acting and producing talent in the television industry from across the UK and internationally. With a broad range of broadcasters and streamers nominated, the BBC leads the shortlist with 25 nominations across the broadcaster and individual talent categories. ITV amassed 15 nominations and Channel 4 14 with global streamer Netflix receiving 12, Apple TV+ 5 and Disney+ 4 nominations.

Sir Lenny Henry said: “I’d like to thank the Edinburgh TV Festival and all who sail in her for this magnificent honour.  I’m very humbled to receive it and will wear a kilt and go commando to celebrate. Excelsior. Big love.”

Nick Mohammed said: “I honestly couldn’t be more thrilled and honoured to be hosting the TV Festival awards this year. I can’t promise Mr. Swallow won’t make an appearance but - frankly - given how well he went down at the BAFTA Film Awards last year, surely this can’t go any worse. But good luck everyone!”

More information

Image credits

Image of Sir Lenny Henry credit Jake Turney / Comic Relief

About the TV Festival

The Edinburgh TV Festival brought to you by Screen Scotland, is the UK’s foremost television event, bringing together leading industry figures and a broad, diverse range of delegates to celebrate creative success and debate the issues facing the television industry.

The Edinburgh TV Festival is fully owned by The TV Foundation, a charity committed to helping people from all backgrounds gain access to, and develop their careers further in, the TV industry. The newly formed Impact Unit is taking that work forward to help shape the way the TV industry works in order to make it open to all; a place where new perspectives, ideas and stories thrive. Alongside existing career development programmes and events, The Network, Visionaries, and ReConnect, AHTV and Amplify x New Voice Awards, which have helped over 4000 individuals since 1991, the Unit supports events and initiatives to improve inclusion such as the class and social equality working group, and TV content with purpose such as Ignite and Changemakers, to put more and better climate storytelling on our screens. Every penny from the Festival funds these initiatives and keeps them free to access to improve inclusion in our industry.