OLIVIERS 2014: Preview - Best Actress

There's an interesting range of nominees in the Best Actress category, recognised for very different performances and material.

Judi Dench is the biggest name, of course. She's already won seven Oliviers and hardly needs another, but she's nominated for her performance in Peter and Alice at the Noel Coward Theatre.

Anna Chancellor's there too, for her comedic skills in Private Lives at the Gielgud Theatre; and Lesley Manville's already been hugely acclaimed for her turn in Ghosts at the Almeida and the Trafalgar Studios.

Hayley Atwell's nomination is perhaps the most interesting - back in 2008, The Pride initially played outside the West End so wasn't eligible for the whole range of Oliviers; this revival at the Trafalgar Studios was, though, and her performance in challenging dual roles was exceptional.

Keep up-to-date on Oliviers night (Sunday 13th April) with BWW:UK's live coverage!