'I 100% didn't expect this': Vicky McClure makes NTA history as she wins Best Drama Performance from first-ever all-female shortlist

Vicky McClure made history at the 31st National Television Awards on September 8, after winning Best Drama Performance from the category's first-ever all-female shortlist.

The actress took home the trophy, her first win at the awards, for the role of police bomb disposal expert Lana Washington in ITV's hit thriller Trigger Point.

Vicky was up against Sheridan Smith (I Fought The Law,) Ella Bruccoleri (The Other Bennet Sister,) Ruth Jones (Run Away,) and Judy Parfitt (Call the Midwife.)

Visibly shaken when she took to the stage to accept the award presented by Vigil star Suranne Jones, the actress was supported from the audience by fellow nominee Sheridan Smith.

"Honest to god, I was just holding Sheridan's hand," she says, adding, "I don't know, I'm not prepared, because I didn't expect this, 100% did not expect this."

The actress reveals that she's "shaking," before going on to humorously offer thanks to her Line of Duty co-star Martin Compston.

"I'll give a shout out to Martin because he's here," she says as Martin laughs from the audience. "Thanks Martin," the actress concludes.

After the ceremony, Vicky wrote a message on Instagram to thank everyone who voted for her.

"THANK YOU SO MUCH!," she began, adding, "This award means the WORLD to me because it’s voted for by the people who matter most…the audience! I’m beyond grateful and happy."

She continues, "And I have to say it again, THANK YOU to everyone who makes Trigger Point! I Can’t tell you what a happy set it is.

"Don’t know how I’m going to sleep tonight, thank you!"

Competition in the Best Drama Performance category was fierce. Sheridan Smith was nominated for the role campaigner Ann Ming in I Fought The Law.

A true story, Ann Ming campaigned tirelessly for a change in the law after her daughter Julie was murdered by a former boyfriend.

Julie's murderer escaped justice because of a legal loophole, and Ann was responsible for getting the law protecting him overturned, eventually seeing justice served many years after her daughter's death.

Although Sheridan didn't win in the category, I Fought The Law did take home the award for best New Drama.

Ruth Jones was nominated for the role of Elena Ravenscroft, a police officer turned private investigator in Netflix's adaptation of the Harlan Coben thriller Run Away.

Veteran actress Judy Parfitt was nominated for her incredible turn as Sister Monica Joan in Call the Midwife. The 90-year-old actress had played the role of the dementia stricken nun for 14 years, until bowing out at the end of season 15.

Her performance and portrayal of Sister Monica Joan's death received huge critical acclaim, while leaving audiences of the fan-favourite character devastated.

Ella Bruccoleri was the youngest actress in the Best Drama Performance category, aged 30. She took the role of Mary Bennet in the BBC adaptation of author Janice Hadlow's 2020 novel The Other Bennet Sister.

The show delighted audiences and broke boundaries as a reimagining of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, giving an alternative look at what Mary Bennet's life might've looked like if she'd been given more than a look-in than simply being the 'plain one.'