2026 Tony Award winners announced including John Lithgow and Lesley Manville

John Lithgow and Lesley Manville won big at the 2026 Tony Awards yesterday in New York. The actors, both of whose shows originated in the West End, took home best leading actor and actress in a play respectively.

Lithgow won for his critically acclaimed portrayal of beloved author Roald Dahl in Giant, which transferred to Broadway following a run at The Harold Pinter Theatre. Directed by Nicholas Hytner (The History Boys, One Man, Two Guvnors), the play dramatised a moment in author Roald Dahl’s life when a book review he wrote caused a public scandal.

Manville, who recently made headlines for her comments on filming curtain calls, won an award for her role in Oedipus, directed by Robert Icke (Romeo & Juliet). She starred alongside Mark Strong in a limited West End run of the production before it crossed the pond. Icke’s production sees the classic Sophocles play reimagined for the modern day, on election night, transforming it into an explosive human thriller.

Other big winners included Schmigadoon!, Ragtime and Death of a Salesman.

2026 Tony Award Winner Highlights

Best musical

The Lost Boys

Schmigadoon! – WINNER

Titaníque

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Best performance by an actor in a leading role in a musical

Nicholas Christopher, Chess

Luke Evans, The Rocky Horror Show

Joshua Henry, Ragtime – WINNER

Sam Tutty, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Brandon Uranowitz, Ragtime

Best performance by an actress in a leading role in a musical

Sara Chase, Schmigadoon!

Stephanie Hsu, The Rocky Horror Show

Caissie Levy, Ragtime – WINNER

Marla Mindelle, Titaníque

Christiani Pitts, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Best revival of a musical

Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Ragtime – WINNER

The Rocky Horror Show

Best play

The Balusters

Giant

Liberation – WINNER

Little Bear Ridge Road

Best performance by an actor in a featured role in a play

Christopher Abbott, Death of a Salesman

Danny Burstein, Marjorie Prime

Brandon J. Dirden, Waiting for Godot

Alden Ehrenreich, Becky Shaw – WINNER

Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Richard Thomas, The Balusters

Best performance by an actress in a leading role in a play

Rose Byrne, Fallen Angels

Carrie Coon, Bug

Susannah Flood, Liberation

Lesley Manville, Oedipus – WINNER

Kelli O’Hara, Fallen Angels

Best revival of a play

Death of a Salesman – WINNER

Becky Shaw

Every Brilliant Thing

Fallen Angels

Oedipus

Best performance by an actor in a featured role in a musical

Ali Louis Bourzgui, The Lost Boys – WINNER

André De Shields, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Bryce Pinkham, Chess

Ben Levi Ross, Ragtime

Layton Williams, Titaníque

Best performance by an actress in a featured role in a musical

Shoshana Bean, The Lost Boys – WINNER

Hannah Cruz, Chess

Rachel Dratch, The Rocky Horror Show

Ana Gasteyer, Schmigadoon!

Nichelle Lewis, Ragtime

Best performance by an actor in a leading role in a play

Will Harrison, Punch

Nathan Lane, Death of a Salesman

John Lithgow, Giant – WINNER

Daniel Radcliffe, Every Brilliant Thing

Mark Strong, Oedipus

Best performance by an actress in a featured role in a play

Betsy Aidem, Liberation

Marylouise Burke, The Balusters

Aya Cash, Giant

Laurie Metcalf, Death of a Salesman – WINNER

June Squibb, Marjorie Prime

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Main photo: Lesley Manville accepts the Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play award for Oedipus onstage during The 79th Annual Tony Awards. Image: Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions