Inaugural Speakies Spotlight Excellence in UK Spoken-Word Storytelling

At a landmark evening celebrating the creative power of audio storytelling The British Audio Awards, affectionately known as The Speakies, took place at the Royal Opera House in London. The Speakies have rapidly established themselves as the UK’s premier celebration of audiobooks and audio drama, shining a spotlight on the creative voices and productions shaping the future of spoken-word entertainment.

Brought to life by The Bookseller and The Stage, The Speakies recognise outstanding work across a wide range of categories — from gripping crime thrillers and immersive fantasy recordings to innovative audio dramas and standout performances. The awards honour writers, narrators, producers and creative teams behind the stories that captivate listeners through sound, celebrating excellence, innovation and storytelling craft at every level.

As the first dedicated awards to both audiobook and audio drama in the UK, The Speakies reflect the booming popularity of the audio format and its growing cultural influence. The winners were selected from a strong field that showcased the breadth and creativity of the modern audio landscape.

One of the winning productions Gatsby in Harlem, adapted by Roy Williams, wowed judges with its fresh Harlem Renaissance twist on the classic story, alongside standout performances fromNcuti Gatwa, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Malachi Kirby. Produced by Granny Eats Wolf, the audio drama was praised for its immersive sound design and bold creative vision.

Other notable winners on the night included JD Kirk’s HIM, which took home Best Audiobook: Crime & Thriller, featuring narrations by Louise Brealey and David Tennant, and acclaimed productions by independent creators that further highlighted the diversity of the audio landscape.

Logo based design

The award was inspired by the event’s striking sound wave logo, and realised in Black anodised aluminium and printed acrylic. Sometimes the simplest of designs can be the most effective when you have a strong logo.
A spokesperson for The British Audio Awards had this to say about working with EFX on their design – “We were absolutely delighted with The Speakies trophy design by EFX. We wanted the trophies to stand out from any other awards and EFX beautifully captured our unique branding, with the colours and vibrancy that perfectly reflected the energy of the event.”

The Speakies not only celebrate established talent but also provide a platform for emerging voices, helping to elevate audio storytelling as one of the fastest-growing formats in publishing and entertainment. This event was launched to shine a spotlight on the growing world of audiobooks and audio drama, celebrating everything from gripping fiction to innovative performances. With a packed room of creators, narrators and publishers, the awards marked an exciting new chapter for the UK’s audio industry.