Olivier Awards 2025 Winners Announced

Best Revival

Oedipus the King (of the Stage)

The haunting retelling of Oedipus was honored with the award for Best Revival. Lesley Manville took home her third Olivier with Best Actress for her heartbreaking turn as Jocasta in a production that set the ancient tragedy in a modern-day political scandal.

Fun Fact: Manville’s win means she has now won Olivier Awards across three decades (1990s, 2010s, and 2020s).

Best Actress in a Musical

A coronation for the queen of modern British theater

Imelda Staunton's captivating performance in Hello, Dolly! earned her the Best Actress in a Musical award. The reigning queen of British musical theater secured her fifth Olivier Award for her radiant performance, with critics praising her boundless energy and impeccable comic timing. This ties Staunton with Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen for the most Olivier acting wins ever.

 **Best Director

This Year Belongs to The Years

Eline Arbo was celebrated as Best Director for her visionary work on The Years, a production that also saw Romola Garai winning Best Supporting Actress, highlighting the show's profound impact. ​The Years was a masterclass in storytelling, weaving together decades of history in a single, gripping theatrical experience. Her win marked a rare victory for female directors in a category historically dominated by men. This was the first time a female director won for a play since Marianne Elliott (Angels in America) in 2018.

Best Family Show

An awards-season banger, literally!

Brainiac Live electrified younger audiences and was rightfully recognized as Best Family Show, blending education with high-energy entertainment.The kid-friendly science extravaganza proved that theater isn’t just about drama, it’s about blowing things up (safely, of course).With high-voltage experiments, exploding dustbins and a Mythbusters-esque love for outrageous tests, it proved that theater can teach and thrill (for those brave enough to watch).

Outstanding Achievement in Dance

Spotlight on flamenco at the awards

Spanish dance icon Eva Yerbabuena set the stage ablaze with her performance in Yerbagüena. Her powerful, soul-stirring flamenco routine earned her the Outstanding Achievement in Dance award, bringing Spanish passion to the Oliviers. 2025 was the first time a flamenco artist won an Olivier since Antonio Gades in 1982.