The 2026 Logie Awards appear to feature one of the strongest Indigenous representations in the awards' history, with nine First Nations actors nominated alongside five Indigenous-led and First Nations-focused programs.
While there are no First Nations personalities in contention for the Gold Logie this year, Indigenous performers and storytellers have secured a significant presence across the acting, drama and factual categories, reflecting the growing influence of First Nations voices on Australian television.
Nominees include Nyikina actor Mark Coles Smith for Mystery Road: Origin, alongside fellow First Nations performers Hunter Page-Lochard, Rob Collins, Tamala Shelton, Lila McGuire, Eloise Hart, Tuuli Narkle, Clarence Ryan and Thomas Weatherall.
Several of the nominated actors are recognised for productions that place Indigenous stories and perspectives at their centre, including Mystery Road: Origin, Goolagong and Reckless.
SBS and NITV have also enjoyed a particularly strong year, with Homebodies, The People vs Robodebt, The Secret DNA of Us and Dreaming Big all securing nominations, while Prime Video's Top End Bub further highlights the growing demand for First Nations-led storytelling across Australian screens.
Check out the full list of Indigenous nominations below.
Hunter Page-Lochard – Nunukul and Munaldjali
Nominated for Reckless (SBS/NITV), Page-Lochard is one of Australia's most accomplished Indigenous screen actors, known for his performances in Cleverman, The Newsreader, Mystery Road and the acclaimed film The Sapphires.
Mark Coles Smith – Nyikina
Nominated for Mystery Road: Origin (ABC), Coles Smith has become one of the country's most celebrated actors, earning acclaim for Mystery Road, Last King of the Cross and The Clearing.
He was the first Indigenous actor nominated for the Gold Logie.
Rob Collins – Tiwi Islands
Nominated for RFDS (Seven Network), Collins first rose to national prominence through Cleverman and The Wrong Girl, before becoming a familiar face through roles in landmark series The First Inventors, as well as Mystery Road, Total Control and Firebite.
Tamala Shelton – Bundjalung and Lamalama
Nominated for Ghosts Australia (Paramount+), Shelton has built a diverse career across television and film, with credits including Nowhere Boys, The Sapphires and a growing list of comedy and drama productions.
Lila McGuire – Whadjuk and Ballardong Noongar
Nominated for Goolagong (ABC), McGuire is one of Australia's emerging Indigenous screen talents, receiving widespread attention for her portrayal of tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
Eloise Hart – Yamatji and Noongar
Recognised for her work in Goolagong and Mystery Road, Hart is an emerging performer whose recent television roles have established her as one of the next generation of Indigenous acting talent.
Tuuli Narkle – Yued and Wiilman Noongar
Nominated for Mystery Road: Origin (ABC), Narkle won the 2022 AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama and has earned praise for performances in All My Friends Are Racist and Bad Behaviour.
Clarence Ryan – Noongar and Yamatji
Nominated for Mystery Road: Origin (ABC), Ryan is best known for his work in Cleverman, Black Comedy and Mystery Road, and is recognised as one of Australia's leading Indigenous actors.
Thomas Weatherall – Kamilaroi
Nominated for Heartbreak High and The Narrow Road to the Deep North, Weatherall has emerged as one of Australia's brightest young stars, earning critical acclaim for both acting and writing, including his work on Heartbreak High.
Indigenous-led and First Nations-focused program nominees
- Homebodies (SBS/NITV)
- Top End Bub (Prime Video)
- The People vs Robodebt (SBS)
- The Secret DNA of Us (SBS)
- Dreaming Big (NITV)
