Best Performance: New Voice
The winner and shortlist for the Best Performance New Voice category at The British Audio Awards. Supported by Jampot
For a single performance, performed solo or as part of an ensemble, where the performer is new to audio drama or audio books. Performers, including actors, narrators and authors, may submit themselves; publishers, agents and producers may also submit performers with their permission.
Winner
Ezra Saifie
The Serial Killer Support Group; The Ha-Ha; Pinch Perkins and the Nightmare Tree
DB Stevens; Jennifer Dawson/Daisy Johnson; Cathy FitzGerald
Chris Barstow/Santi Aribas/Chatterbox Audio
Harvey Voices/Emma Harvey
Saifie was shortlisted for her work across three audiobooks, demonstrating the breadth of her skills and narration. Represented by Harvey Voices, Saifie is an actor, voiceover artist and dancer, born and based in London.
Judges praised her performances for their wide emotional range and real intensity – but also the prep work she puts in before recording begins. In her submission, Saifie said that although she was early in her audiobook career, she had “fallen completely in love with the medium”. The judges agreed that this showed in her performances.
Shortlist
Default Step
Paul Hilton
All My Precious Madness
Mark Bowles
Spiracle/Kate Bland, David Griffiths, Sophie Haxworth, Jeremy Mortimer
Independent Talent
All My Precious Madness is Mark Bowles’ critically acclaimed debut novel, praised for its biting humour, raw empathy, and searing portrait of Henry Nash—a man torn between intellect, rage, and the weight of his past. In the audiobook, Paul Hilton delivers a stunning first narration, capturing Henry’s wit, fury, and vulnerability with such intensity that both author and critics hailed his performance as transformative.
Mei Mac
Up in Smoke
Guy Larsen, Cambria Bailey-Jones
Gabriela Jones, Guy Larsen, Cambria Bailey-Jones
Bespoke Voice Agency
Up in Smoke is a bold, long-form audio drama styled as a “true crime podcast about a fictional event,” created over five years with a naturalistic, archive-driven approach to storytelling. Mei Mac delivers a remarkable debut in audio as unreliable narrator Kay McAllister, blending wit, vulnerability, and nuance to make the flawed character both compelling and empathetic across eight immersive episodes.
Bella Maclean
You, Again
Natalie Cooper
N/a
N/a
Bella MacLean’s debut narration of You, Again has been widely praised for its emotive depth, distinct character voices, and seamless pacing that kept listeners fully engaged. Reviewers highlighted her versatility and natural talent, calling it an impressive first performance that signals a promising future in audiobook narration.
Daniel Mick Ryan
The Green & The Black
Kit de Waal
Michael Shannon
N/a
The Green & The Black by Kit de Waal, commissioned by BBC Radio 4, explores the changing face of modern Ireland through one family’s story, but it was newcomer Daniel Mick Ryan’s performance as Caleb that stole the spotlight. In only his second acting role, Ryan brought extraordinary sensitivity and depth to the character, earning acclaim from listeners and the author alike for a portrayal far beyond his experience.
Mae Munuo
Tribe of Two
Malaika Kegode
Jesse Fox
N/a
Tribe of Two is a queer coming-of-age drama by Malaika Kegode, following mixed-race Mari as she explores identity, family expectations, and independence from her Zimbabwean father’s musical legacy. Mae Munuo’s award-winning debut as Mari was praised for a confident, layered performance that captured the character’s emotional journey with nuance, supported by vibrant sound design and an original soundtrack.
Ezra Saifie
The Serial Killer Support Group; The Ha-Ha; Pinch Perkins and the Nightmare Tree
DB Stevens; Jennifer Dawson/Daisy Johnson; Cathy FitzGerald
Chris Barstow/Santi Aribas/Chatterbox Audio
Harvey Voices/Emma Harvey
Shortlisted for her performances across three productions, Ezra Saifie was praised for her aptitude in balancing emotional intensity with detailed character work across such a large cast of characters made this an extremely challenging and rewarding performance.
