The top 100 most influential people on TV have been revealed by Radio Times, featuring ITV’s cast Mr. Bates versus the Post Office get to the top.
The four-part drama, based on a true story, exposed the scandal of how hundreds of sub-postmasters were wrongly accused of theft and fraud due to a faulty computer system.
The show had such an impact that it led to the introduction of a new law to quash the sub-postmasters’ convictions.
The series, which was released in January, starred Toby Jones as sub-postmaster leader Alan Bates, Julie Hesmondhalgh as his wife Suzanne Sercombe and Monica Dolan as sub-postmaster Jo Hamilton.
ITV’s director of television Kevin Lygo said Mr Bates vs the Post Office is the channel’s ‘biggest drama since filming began more than 20 years ago’ after being watched by more than 14 million viewers in just three months.
ITV’s Alan Bates vs The Post Office revealed how hundreds of subpostmasters had been wrongly accused of theft and fraud
Morgan Jeffery, editor-in-chief of RadioTimes.com, said that because it “demonstrated the power that television really has to shape the world we live in, there can only be one winner.”
This is the first time an ensemble has taken the number one spot on the power list, which is compiled by industry experts and top television executives.
The Radio Times TV 100 honors the people in front and behind the camera who are responsible for key TV moments and ‘changed the entertainment landscape for the better over the last twelve months’.
The number two in the list is Kieran Culkin41, for his performance as Roman Roy in the fourth and final season of HBO’s Succession.
Sky UK and Ireland Managing Director of Content Zai Bennett said: ‘Kieran not only brought the laughs as perhaps the funniest of the Roy siblings, but he also left you sympathetic to this multifaceted character, who ultimately only is looking for his father’s approval. .’
Sarah Lancashire59, comes third for her ‘phenomenal performance’ as Sergeant Catherine Cawood in the BBC’s Happy Valley.
BBC Director of Content Charlotte Moore said the actress is ‘one of the most remarkable talents of our time’, adding that she has ‘incredible depth and range, which means you simply can’t take your eyes off her. ‘
Bella Ramsey20, ranked fourth for ‘showing versatility on screen’ as Ellie in HBO’s drama The Last of US
Sky’s Zai Bennett said: “Bella had the tricky task of making a much-loved character her own and they more than delivered.”
Ncuti GatwaThe 31-year-old, who topped the list last year, came fifth this year for his ‘groundbreaking achievement’ as the fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who.
The BBC’s Charlotte Moore said: ‘Ncuti has arrived on our screens and has quickly established herself as our incredible new Doctor. His performance is electrifying. You just want to spend time with him on his wild adventures in space and time.”
Coming in sixth place is Sally Wainwright61, television writer and producer of BBC’s Happy Valley.
BBC boss Charlotte Moore said: ‘Sally Wainwright is a genius, a multi-award winning writer praised for creating strong and complex female characters, combining humor with authentic dialogue and often shining a light on Yorkshire.’
Seventh on the list is the presenter of The Traits and Strictly Come Dancing, Claudia Winkleman52, who won a Bafta last year for the reality show.
Charlie Irwin, director of Thames TV, praised her “unparalleled contributions to the world of television and broadcasting,” as well as her “humour, charm and genuine passion for popular entertainment and the people who make it, both on and off camera.”
He added that “her versatility is self-evident across a broad spectrum of shows” and that her influence extends beyond the screen as a “cultural icon”,
Claudia Winkleman, 52, presenter of The Traitors and Strictly Come Dancing, is seventh after winning a Bafta for the reality show last year
Number eight is Ayo Edebiri28, following the success of the Disney+ series The Bear and her performance as chef Syndey Adamu, which won her a Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Award.
Dame Pippa Harris, co-founder of Neal Street Productions, described her as ‘one of the most exciting comedic actors/writers of her generation’, adding that ‘not only has she stolen the show in two films (Theater Camp and Bottoms), but also the audience were fascinated by her dazzling performance as sous chef Sydney in The Bear’.
Ninth in the Radio Times top 100 Jesse Armstrong53, screenwriter of HBO’s successful series.
Sky’s Zai Bennett said: ‘To say Jesse Armstorng has had an impact on the TV landscape would be an understatement. Succession can only be described as a masterpiece with Jesse at the helm.”
Other cast members include Sarah Snook at age 41.
Runner-up in the list is Kieran Culkin, 41, who played Roman Roy in HBO’s Succession
In tenth place is Hannah Waddingham, who played Rebecca Welton in the Apple TV+ show Ted Lasso.
RadioTimes.com drama writer James Hibbs said: ‘A hugely charismatic, funny and soulful presence, it’s no wonder that following her role in (Ted Lasso) she has taken on jobs such as starring in ITV’s Tom Jones and, of course, presenting of the Eurovision Song Contest.
The annual list is compiled by leading figures from the creative industries, including Kevin Lygo, Managing Director, Media & Entertainment ITV; Charlotte Moore, BBC director of content; Zai Bennett, Sky UK and Ireland Managing Director of Content; Dame Pippa Harris, Neal Street Productions, co-founder; and Charlie Irwin, Managing Director of Thames TV, whose nominations of the most exciting, influential names working in television today were then compiled into a definitive list by RadioTimes.com’s team of expert editors and critics.