Walters voted drama queen!

Julie Walters has been named the most powerful woman in television drama.

The 54-year-old actress today heads a top 40 that includes influential figures such as network controllers, drama commissioners, leading writers and fellow actors.

Colleagues she leaves in her wake include David Jason, James Nesbitt, Helen Mirren and Bill Nighy. Walters's films include Educating Rita, Billy Elliott and the Harry Potter movies, but in recent years she has taken on some of TV's most compelling roles.

She won a Bafta for BBC1's modern version of Chaucer's Wife Of Bath and played gritty parts in The Return and Murder.

"Her track record of success across different channels is all the more remarkable for being combined with a buoyant film career, which guarantees her position as an above-the-title name who can deliver ratings success," said Radio Times, which canvassed actors, writers, agents, producers and executives in the poll.

Jane Tranter, 40, controller of BBC drama, makes second place after commissioning hits such as Spooks and Cutting It.

In third is David Jason, The 64-year-old's performances in A Touch Of Frost, Micawber and The Quest have been ratings winners. ITV drama boss Nick Elliott, 60, is in fourth place thanks to hits Prime Suspect and Foyle's War.

Writer Paul Abbott, 44, is next after acclaimed series State Of Play, Shameless and Clocking Off. James Nesbitt, 39, has proved the most successful of the Cold Feet actors and is in sixth place.

Martin Clunes and Caroline Quentin - in eighth and tenth - became stars thanks to Men Behaving Badly.

BBC1 controller Lorraine Heggessey and drama boss Mal Young - responsible for East-Enders and Holby City - are also in the top 10. Further down, actors Ray Winstone, Helen Mirren and Christopher Eccleston all make the top 20.