Broadchurch leads Royal Television Society nominations

Colman and Whittaker are both recognised for their work in ITV's critically acclaimed ratings winner

ITV crime drama Broadchurch has been nominated for three Royal Television Society (RTS) Programme Awards.

Its stars Olivia Colman and Jodie Whittaker are both shortlisted in the best actress category, while it is also up for best drama serial.

Colman's nomination also encompasses her work in Channel 4's Run.

Other nominees include Stephen Fry, Sir David Attenborough and Davina McCall, who will contest the best presenter prize at the ceremony on 18 March.

Comedian Tim Vine will host the event, to be held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in central London.

Colman and Whittaker face competition in their category from Sharon Rooney, recognised for her role in Channel 4's My Mad Fat Teenage Diary.

Colman's Run co-star Lennie James, meanwhile, competes for the best actor prize against The Tunnel's Stephen Dillane and Luther star Idris Elba.

My Mad Fat Teenage Diary is also up for the drama series prize, as are BBC Two's Peaky Blinders and Channel 4's Utopia.

BBC Three zombie drama In the Flesh and Jane Campion's New Zealand-set mystery Top of the Lake are also in contention for the drama serial award.

An additional prize for best single drama sees Burton and Taylor compete against fellow BBC productions Our Girl and The Challenger.

Burton and Taylor saw Dominic West and Helena Bonham Carter play celebrity couple Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor

Casualty, Coronation Street and Emmerdale are shortlisted for the soap and continuing drama award, won by the Manchester-based series at last year's ceremony.

Olivia Colman was also honoured at the 2013 event, winning the best actress prize for her work in BBC One's courtroom drama Accused.

Her role in Broadchurch saw her character, DS Ellie Miller, investigate a young boy's murder in a small coastal town in southern England.

Other nominees this year include Brendan O'Carroll, shortlisted for the comedy performance prize for his cross-dressing role in Mrs Brown's Boys.

There is also a nomination for popular BBC One quiz show Pointless, shortlisted for the RTS Daytime award alongside Channel 4's Four Rooms and ITV's The Chase.

A full list of this year's nominations appear on the Royal Television Society's official website.