Mandy McAuley’s Donaldson documentary recognised as Northern Ireland’s television winners celebrated
BBC investigative journalist Mandy McAuley in Spotlight documentary Politician, Predator & Paedophile.
Saturday 14 November 2026
The BBC Spotlight investigation into Jeffrey Donaldson’s double life, presented by veteran investigative journalist Mandy McAuley, has won the Current Affairs award at the Royal Television Society Northern Ireland Awards.
Politician, Predator & Paedophile examined the former DUP leader’s rise to political power while concealing child sexual abuse. Its recognition puts public-interest investigative reporting among the leading achievements celebrated at this year’s ceremony.
The awards were held at Titanic Belfast on Thursday 12 November, with Blue Lights securing two acting honours and Trespasses collecting four awards. Broadcaster Craig Doyle hosted the event, now in its 11th year.
Recognition for the Spotlight investigation
The Spotlight team from BBC Northern Ireland received the Current Affairs award for 'Spotlight: Politician, Predator and Paedophile' at this year's Royal Television Society (RTS) NI's 11th anniversary Awards at Titanic Belfast.
Announcing Spotlight’s win, organisers praised the programme’s “superb investigative journalism”. The documentary examined the gulf between Donaldson’s public image and his concealed offending, following his conviction on 18 charges of abuse, including rape.
Commenting following the awards evening, Mandy said:
“Thanks to everyone who helped us get this programme to air – Stephen Dempster and Imelda Lynch.
“There would have been no story to tell without the incredible bravery of Victims A & B who exposed Jeffrey Donaldson and showed that the most powerful men can be brought to justice. Their courage, and determination will reverberate and
inspire for years to come.”
Mandy added:
“Our investigation continues.”
Love Ballymena previously reported on the political fallout from the investigation, including calls for independent scrutiny of what people in positions of responsibility knew about concerns surrounding Donaldson and how those concerns were handled.
That earlier coverage also highlighted questions about safeguarding and accountability, with the focus on those who came forward and the response of institutions entrusted with protecting vulnerable people.
Politician, Predator & Paedophile Is available to watch on demand on BBC iPlayer.
Blue Lights wins two acting awards
Blue Light's stars Dearbháile McKinney and Katherine Devlin.
Blue Lights followed with two awards recognising performances in the BBC police drama, made by Two Cities Television and Gallagher Films.
Katherine Devlin won Actor – Female, while Dearbháile McKinney received the Breakthrough On-Screen award. Organisers highlighted their emotional performances in the series about rookie police officers.
Four awards for Trespasses
Paul Maynes received the Post-Production - Individual - Craft award for Sound Mixing 'Trespasses', Yellowmoon/Wildgaze Films for Channel 4.
Ailbhe Keogan received the Writer Award for 'Trespasses', Wildgaze Films for Channel 4
Channel 4’s Trespasses secured four honours, including the Drama award for Wildgaze Films and Actor – Male for Tom Cullen.
Ailbhe Keogan received the Writer Award for 'Trespasses', Wildgaze Films for Channel 4.
Ailbhe Keogan won Writer for her screen adaptation of Louise Kennedy’s novel, while Yellowmoon’s Paul Maynes received the Post-Production Individual – Craft award for sound mixing on the series.
The wins recognised work both on screen and behind the camera, spanning performance, writing and the sound that helped shape the drama’s atmosphere.
Documentaries and news reporting recognised
The team from Strident Media picked up the Documentary - Single awards for 'Caitlin Hanna: Trafficked In Belfast' for BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Three
Caitlin Hanna: Trafficked in Belfast, made by Strident Media for the BBC, won Documentary – Single. Organisers praised the programme’s sensitive handling of its subject.
Stephen Nolan and team received the Documentary - Series award for 'Peelers', made by Third Street Studios for BBC.
Stephen Nolan’s Peelers: The PSNI For Real, produced by Third Street Studios for the BBC, received the Documentary – Series award.
The team from BBC NI Newsline picked up the News Coverage award for 'BBC - Racist Riots' for BBC Northern Ireland.
BBC Northern Ireland also won News Coverage for its Racist Riots reporting, which judges described as outstanding reporting from the scene.
Comedy, entertainment and children’s television
The team from Hat Trick Productions, creators of 'How to Get to Heaven from Belfast' for Netflix, winners of the Comedy section
How to Get to Heaven From Belfast, Lisa McGee’s series made by Hat Trick Productions for Netflix, won Comedy. The second series of Will and Ralf Should Know Better, produced by Afro-Mic Productions for U&Dave, took the Entertainment award, with both presenters attending the ceremony.
Big Mountain Productions received the Lifestyle and Features Award for 'Natalie Cassidy: Caring Together' for BBC Daytime and BBC Northern Ireland
Natalie Cassidy: Caring Together, made by Big Mountain Productions for BBC Daytime, won Lifestyle & Features.
Members of the production team from Alleycats picked up the Factual Entertainment award for 'Ronan Keating's Wild Atlantic' made for BBC
Ronan Keating’s Wild Atlantic, produced by Alleycats for the BBC, received Factual Entertainment.
The team from Dog Ears and Cartoon Saloon who made 'My Brother the Minotaur' in association with Apple, winners of the Children’s / Animation award
The Children’s / Animation award went to My Brother the Minotaur, made by Dog Ears and Cartoon Saloon in association with Apple. Waddell Media’s Queen James, for BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Two, won Specialist Factual.
Composer Katie Richardson received the award for Original Music Score for 'Crookhaven', BBC Studios for BBC One and BBC iPlayer
Composer Katie Richardson received Original Music Score for her first television score, for BBC Studios’ Crookhaven.
Richard Williams honoured for industry contribution
Richard Williams received the Brian Waddell Award for Outstanding Contribution to Industry
Northern Ireland Screen chief executive Richard Williams received the Brian Waddell Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry, recognising his work since taking up the role in 2003.
The honour comes as Williams prepares to step down from Northern Ireland Screen, with his tenure encompassing the growth of major film and television production in the region.
Williams said:
“I am delighted to receive the Brian Waddell Award for 2026, not least because Brian was my boss and mentor for many years.”
Looking ahead, he added:
“The good news is that Northern Ireland Screen is strong, remains supported by both government and the sector, and most importantly is full of talented and committed people well capable of driving it forward.”
Honour for the mentor behind the careers
Helen Thompson received the Hidden Hero Award at the Royal Television Society (RTS) NI’s 11th anniversary Awards
Helen Thompson received the Hidden Hero Award, recognising her support for people starting out in television and her continuing mentoring of colleagues across the industry.
RTS NI Awards chair Zoe McGivern said Thompson had spent more than 30 years in the sector and had been nominated by numerous industry professionals.
“So many in the industry who nominated Helen feel they simply wouldn’t be where they are now without her help,” McGivern said.
“That’s a pretty remarkable legacy to have.”
Full list of RTS Northern Ireland Awards 2026 winners
Blue Light's star Katherine Devlin picked up the Actor - Female award at this year's Royal Television Society (RTS) NI's 11th anniversary Awards at Titanic Belfast
• Actor – Female: Katherine Devlin — Blue Lights, Two Cities Television/Gallagher Films for BBC.
• Actor – Male: Tom Cullen — Trespasses, Wildgaze Films for Channel 4.
Dearbháile McKinney picked up the Breakthrough Award On-screen for 'Blue Lights' - Two Cities Television/Gallagher Films for BBC, at this year's Royal Television Society (RTS) NI's
• Breakthrough On-Screen: Dearbháile McKinney — Blue Lights, Two Cities Television/Gallagher Films for BBC.
• Children’s / Animation: My Brother the Minotaur — Dog Ears and Cartoon Saloon in association with Apple.
• Comedy: How to Get to Heaven From Belfast — Hat Trick Productions for Netflix.
• Current Affairs: Spotlight | Politician, Predator & Paedophile — BBC Northern Ireland.
• Documentary – Series: Peelers: The PSNI For Real — Third Street Studios for BBC.
• Documentary – Single: Caitlin Hanna: Trafficked in Belfast — Strident Media for BBC.
• Drama: Trespasses — Wildgaze Films for Channel 4.
Will Mellor and Ralf Little from 'Will and Ralf Should Know Better Series 2' made by Afro Mic Productions for U&Dave
Will Mellor and Ralf Little from 'Will and Ralf Should Know Better Series 2' made by Afro Mic Productions for U&Dave, winners of the Entertainment section
• Entertainment: Will and Ralf Should Know Better, Series 2 — Afro-Mic Productions for U&Dave.
• Factual Entertainment: Ronan Keating’s Wild Atlantic — Alleycats for BBC.
• Lifestyle & Features: Natalie Cassidy: Caring Together — Big Mountain Productions for BBC Daytime.
• News Coverage: BBC – Racist Riots — BBC Northern Ireland.
• Original Music Score: Katie Richardson — Crookhaven, BBC Studios for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
• Post-Production Individual – Craft: Paul Maynes, sound mixing — Trespasses, Yellowmoon Post Production/Wildgaze Films for Channel 4.
Waddell Media received the Specialist Factual Awards for 'Queen James', made for BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Two
• Specialist Factual: Queen James — Waddell Media for BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Two.
• Writer: Ailbhe Keogan — Trespasses, Wildgaze Films for Channel 4.
• Hidden Hero: Helen Thompson.
• Brian Waddell Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry: Richard Williams, chief executive of Northern Ireland Screen.
