The 2026 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has revealed the judging panel for the 48th Annual Award. 

Founded in 1978, the Prize is the largest and oldest international prize honoring female and non-binary playwrights across the world who have written English-language plays. The winner of the 2026 Prize will be announced on February 26 in a special invitation-only celebration at London’s Royal Court Theatre.

This year's judges will include Julie Hesmondhalgh, Mara Isaacs, Mimi Lien, Benedict Lombe, Audra McDonald, and Ian Rickson.

Past judges have included Edward Albee, Adjoa Andoh, Eileen Atkins, Zoe Caldwell, Glenn Close, Paule Constable, Harold Clurman, Colleen Dewhurst, Marianne Elliot, Ralph Fiennes, Greta Gerwig, John Guare, David Hare, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Tony Kushner, Marsha Norman, Joan Plowright, Indhu Rubasingham, Fiona Shaw, Tom Stoppard, Meryl Streep, Paula Vogel, Wendy Wasserstein, and August Wilson among over 250 artists in the United States, England, and Ireland.

The finalists for the 2026 Prize are Barbara Bergin for Dublin Gothic, Hannah Doran for The Meat Kings! (Inc.) of Brooklyn Heights, Amy Jephta for A Good House, Frances Poet for Small Acts of Love, Ro Reddick for Cold War Choir Practice, Jasmine Sharma for Pigeonhole, Jen Silverman for Regressions, DeLanna Studi for “I” is for Invisible, Else Went for Initiative, and Bess Wohl for Liberation.

The winner will be awarded $25,000, and also receive a special print by renowned artist Willem de Kooning, created especially for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. An additional Special Commendation of $10,000 may be given at the discretion of the judges, with each Finalist receiving $5,000.

Named for the late American actor, feminist, and writer Susan Smith Blackburn who lived in London during the last 15 years of her life, the Prize has honored more than 500 plays from playwrights throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and other English-speaking countries.