Julie Hesmondhalgh Receives Theatre Trust Lifetime Award

Actress Julie Hesmondhalgh will receive the inaugural Great British Theatres Lifetime Achievement Award from Theatres Trust for her stage career and campaign work supporting regional theatres. The honor will be presented at Central Hall Westminster in London on Monday 2 November 2026.

According to Theatres Trust, the award recognizes Hesmondhalgh's contribution on and off stage, including advocacy for community arts organizations and wider access to live performance.

Hesmondhalgh, 56, became widely known for playing Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street for more than 15 years. She later appeared in dramas including Happy Valley, Broadchurch and Mr Bates vs The Post Office, and won an Olivier Award for her role in James Graham's Punch.

"I'm very honoured" Hesmondhalgh said in response to the award announcement.

The actress has been closely involved with campaigns to protect regional theatre spaces. She played a prominent role in efforts to save Oldham Coliseum, which is expected to reopen in 2027 after additional funding for asbestos removal and structural repairs.

"Making the beautiful old girl properly future-proof is the number one priority." Hesmondhalgh said after funding for Oldham Coliseum was announced.

"I'm very honoured to be awarded this inaugural award from the Theatres Trust, celebrating as it does the successful campaign to save Oldham Coliseum - a movement entirely led by a community who were not willing to see their historic, beloved theatre disappear." Hesmondhalgh said.

She also continues to work with Oldham Coliseum as Guest Curator and supports initiatives including Manchester's Take Back Theatre Collective, the Regional Theatre Young Directors Scheme and Arts Emergency.

"I'm so proud to have been a small part of the gang who made that happen, and now to be part of the company who are working so hard to get us to the point of reopening and beyond." Hesmondhalgh said.

David Neilson, who played Hayley Cropper's on-screen partner Roy Cropper, reflected on their time working together on Coronation Street.

"Playing that sort of story costs you. You have to dig deep to play it properly. And Julie always did." Neilson said.

Neilson also recalled filming Hayley Cropper's final scenes, describing the production process and the emotional significance of the moment.

"I remember the last scene we did; it was unlike any other scene I've done in the show. The director, Kay Patrick, told us and the crew to take as long as we needed to prepare for it, because we'd only be doing it once. And we did only do it once.

You could have heard a pin drop in the studio. It truly felt like an ending." Neilson said.

Joshua McTaggart, chief executive of Theatres Trust, said Hesmondhalgh represents the organization's focus on making theatre accessible regardless of location or background.

"There is no one in the public eye who embodies this spirit more than Julie Hesmondhalgh," McTaggart said.

McTaggart highlighted Hesmondhalgh's public advocacy for inclusive performing arts and support for community theatres.

"Julie has used her platform as one of the country's most beloved actors to bang the drum for inclusive and equitable access to the performing arts and champion important community theatres." McTaggart said.

Theatres Trust launched the Great British Theatres Awards during its 50th anniversary year. The ceremony will include awards across ten categories alongside the Lifetime Achievement Award.

"The concept for the Lifetime Achievement Award is to recognise someone who shares Theatres Trust's belief that everyone should have access to theatre and live performance no matter where they live or what their background is. There is no one in the public eye who embodies this spirit more than Julie Hesmondhalgh. Julie has used her platform as one of the country's most beloved actors to bang the drum for inclusive and equitable access to the performing arts and champion important community theatres.

We are thrilled that she is going to accept this award." McTaggart said.