The 2025 BAFTA Television Craft Awards will take place on Sunday 27 April and they have revealed which TV show will win this year’s Special Award.
The soap EastEnders are the winners of the 2025 BAFTA Television Craft Special Award for their commitment to taking on and nurturing new talent off screen.
EasterEnders is known for their talent programmes which have developed over the show’s 40 years.
The process is renowned for identifying and investing in via a variety of training schemes, including the BBC’s Continuing New Directors Training Scheme as well as the Diversity Director Training Scheme to address the chronic underrepresentation behind the cameras in UK television production.
The classic television programme was an initial stepping stone for a variety of Hollywood names, including Tom Hooper who won an Academy Award for his movie The King’s Speech starring Colin Firth in his portrayal of King George VI.
The iconic British soap EastEnders are the winners of the 2025 BAFTA Television Craft Special Award for their commitment to taking on and nurturing new talent off screen
Plus, executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins who recently produced the hit Disney+ show Rivals starring David Tennant and Emily Atack.
Not only have the EastEnders production team looked after their staff, they have also made an effort towards reducing their carbon footprint.
EastEnders was the very first programme to test a carbon calculator against their production which launched the inspiration behind BAFTA’s Albert’s Carbon Calculator, appropriately named after EastEnder’s Albert Square.
The BAFTA Television Committee Chair, Hilary Rosen, expressed her pᴀssion towards EastEnders being the receiver of the award, she said: ‘EastEnders is a towering force in British television – an era-defining soap that has captivated audiences for over 40 years.
”What makes it even more remarkable is the work it does behind the camera, tireless dedication to nurturing fresh talent, championing underrepresented voices, and fuelling the engine at the heart of our industry.’
Kate Oates, Head of Drama Productions at the BBC repsonded to the news by sharing how delighted herself and the team are.
She explained on behalf of everyone at EasteEnders: ‘we are absolutely delighted and honoured to receive the BAFTA Television Craft Award Special in our 40th anniversary year.
‘EastEnders and BBC Studios have a proud tradition of training new talent and broadening existing skillsets, and you only have to look at the industry to discover just how many individuals, who are now at the top of their game within their specific fields, started or spent some of their careers at EastEnders, as well as those who still work on the show today.’
The BAFTA Television Craft Awards will be hosted by Stacey Dooley (pictured hosting in 2024) Sunday 27 April and will return to The Brewery
EastEnders cast during acceptance at the 2023 British Soap Awards
EasterEnders is known for their talent programmes which have developed over the show’s 40 years
‘We are thrilled that BAFTA has awarded EastEnders with the Television Craft Special Award’, is what Charlotte Moore, Outgoing Chief Content Officer had to say about the great news.
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She continued: ‘It’s a testament to all those working behind the scenes who produce a continuing drama that has entertained the nation for over 40 years.
‘The show has nurtured, trained, and produced some of the best talent within the industry, with many still working there, and, as an industry, we should be very grateful for what the show produces both on and off screen.’
Over the years, the award has gone to many organisations who have worked hard to support those in the industry, such as the 2024 honorary MAMA Youth Project who help young people from underrepresented backgrounds into careers in the television and media industries.
The BAFTA Television Craft Awards will be hosted by Stacey Dooley Sunday 27 April and will return to The Brewery.
The news come after EastEnders legend Cheryl Fergison sunk her claws into the British Soap Awards after a shock snub towards Phil Mitchell star Steve McFadden.
The soap star, who played Heather Trott in the BBC soap between 2007 and 2012, took to Instagram to share her frustration at her pal not being nominated for the prestigious awards.
However Cheryl, 59, instantly regretted what she after receiving backlash about her comments on her page.
EastEnders legend Cheryl Fergison sinks claws into British Soap Awards after shock snub – but instantly regrets it after vicious fan backlash
The soap star took to Instagram to share her frustration at her pal (pictured above with her) not being nominated for the prestigious awards.
The British Soap Awards have already revealed the early nominations for the Best Leading Performer, Villian of the Year, Best Comedy Performance and Best British Soap – and Steve isn’t under any of them.
In a video uploaded to her Instagram on Tuesday, Cheryl said: ‘Seriously, are the Soap Awards having a laugh?
‘Steve McFadden has not has not even been put on the long list, let alone the short list, let alone winning it.’
While many agreed with what she said, one fumed: ‘Cheryl, Steve has been put forward for other awards.’
One questioned: ‘Ever thought he might be getting a special award???’
A day later she took to Instagram to clear up what she had said.
Cheryl said: ‘Hello everyone, so I’m getting a little bit of backlash, criticism, comments about the Soap Awards thing that I said.
‘Okay, so, yes, I have won a Soap Award when I was in EastEnders, and I understand that the storyline [on Phil’s mental health] is current and maybe they decide these nominations or whatever for last year’s storyline.
‘But I don’t think that it makes the public aware of the timescale that they are voting for.’
She pointed out that if it is for a storyline from last year, they should let people know its from last year, not current storylines.
Cheryl captioned the video: ‘Trying to clear this up a bit so don’t shoot me down please.’
