Audiobooks narrated by Ncuti Gatwa, Nicola Coughlan and David Tennant were among those recognised at the inaugural British Audio awards, the “Speakies”.
Gatwa’s performance in the lead role of Gatsby in Harlem helped it emerge as one of Monday evening’s biggest winners: it took three major prizes including audio of the year. The reimagining of Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby also won best audio drama adaptation, while Gatwa took home the best performance award for what organisers described as his “remarkable poise and flair” in capturing Gatsby’s character.
The Speakies are the UK’s first set of prizes dedicated to audiobooks and audio drama. The inaugural ceremony, held at the Royal Opera House and hosted by actor and comedian Sally Phillips, celebrated what the prize called the full “ecosystem” of audio storytelling – from writers and actors to sound designers and publishers – at a moment when listening figures and investment across the sector continue to climb.
Best audiobook: science fiction and fantasy went to Juno Dawson’s Queen B, a witchcraft novel about Anne Boleyn, narrated by Nicola Coughlan. The Bridgerton star “brings wit and vivacity to her telling and successfully whisks readers away from the 21st century to the heart of King Henry VIII’s court,” said category judging chair Katie Fraser.
JD Kirk’s Him, narrated by David Tennant and Louise Brealey, won best audiobook: crime and thriller. The win came on the same night Tennant’s wife, Georgia Tennant, accepted the best romance audiobook award on behalf of the team behind Rivals, Jilly Cooper’s 1988 novel, newly adapted for audio to coincide with its recent Disney+ screen adaptation. Tribute was paid to Cooper, who died last month.
In nonfiction, the best audiobook: memoir prize went to Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams, her whistleblowing account of speaking out about Meta. Self-narrated, the audiobook was described as a “powerful reclamation of speech and agency”.
Why Are You Here, Mrs Hamilton?, a memoir by Post Office scandal victim Jo Hamilton narrated by Monica Dolan – who portrayed her in ITV’s television drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office – took home best nonfiction audiobook. Meanwhile, Mark Gatiss won best performance as a narrator for his reading of Ian Fleming’s From Russia With Love, edging out Stephen Fry among others.
Independent publishers made a strong showing at the Speakies. Galley Beggar Press and Spiracle Audio beat major houses to win best fiction audiobook with All My Precious Madness by Mark Bowles, narrated by Paul Hilton. The audiobook was praised for its “ambitious concept” and inventive use of multiple voices, and described as an example of audio evolving as a form in its own right.
According to the Publishers Association, audiobook sales in the UK rose by 31% in 2024, reaching a record £268m. Last week, a study from the National Literacy Trust found that while only 32% of young people said that they read for enjoyment, 42% enjoyed listening to audiobooks.
Philip Jones, editor of the Bookseller – which co-runs the new awards with the Stage – said the awards reflected a “moment” for UK audio. “I am delighted with our winners for this first year,” he said. “As listener interest grows, investment across platforms and talent increases, and excellence across disciplines rises to the occasion. Bringing this all together under one awards banner for the first time, with all of the talent recognised, truly has been a joy to behold.”
This year’s judges included Gavin & Stacey star Laura Aikman, broadcaster and author Michelle Elman, author Abir Mukherjee, Doctor Who star Pearl Mackie, YouTuber Hannah Witton and Guardian audiobook critic Fiona Sturges.
