David Tennant honored at the National Television Awards

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Last night the National Television Awards (NTAs) took place in London, recognizing the best shows and actors in television this past year. A few weeks ago we told you which Potter alumni were nominated for awards at the event, and now we have the list of winners!

The big win of the night went to David Tennant (Barty Crouch, Jr.), who received the Special Recognition Award for his work in television over the last decade, in particular, for his roles on Doctor Who and Broadchurch. He was presented with the award after Pixie Lott and the Proclaimers performed a rendition of “500 Miles,” one of Tennant’s favorite songs. A video was also shown to pay tribute to the actor, which featured Stephen Fry (narrator of the UK Harry Potter audiobooks), who spoke of Tennant’s Broadchurch role as “champagne casting.”

In his acceptance speech, Tennant said,

Anyone who’s ever given me a shot, thank you very much, and anyone who’s ever let me into their living room on a telly, it’s a real honor and a privilege to get to do that.

The show was broadcast in the UK on ITV, which shared the news on their Twitter account.

Tennant joked about not being in a cab, after another winner that night, Sheridan Smith, couldn’t collect her award because she was stuck in traffic. She won the award for Drama Performance, for Cilla, which Tennant and his Broadchurch co-star Olivia Colman presented.

He wasn’t the only Potter connection at the event, however. Downton Abbey, which stars Dame Maggie Smith (Professor McGonagall), won in the Drama category. This award was presented by yet another Potter star, Julie Walters (Molly Weasley). Smith was also nominated for Drama Performance, for her role as the Dowager Countess, but lost out to Sheridan Smith.

Congratulations to David, Maggie, and all of the other winners! Did you watch the ceremony? What did you think about the winners?