The nominations for the prestigious Actor awards have been announced, with Paul Thomas Anderson's epic thriller One Battle After Another and Apple's comedy series The Studio leading the pack. The awards, formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) awards, were renamed last year to better reflect their purpose.
Film Categories Dominated by Major Contenders
In the film section, One Battle After Another secured an impressive seven nominations. These include nods for its star-studded cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Chase Infiniti, Benicio del Toro, Teyana Taylor, and Sean Penn, as well as for the acting and stunt ensemble categories. The film, which recently won Best Picture at the Critics Choice Awards, is a strong favourite heading into the Golden Globes this weekend.
Hot on its heels is Ryan Coogler's vampire horror Sinners, which earned five nominations. These two cinematic heavyweights will compete for the ensemble prize alongside Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, and Hamnet.
The lead actor race sees Leonardo DiCaprio pitted against Michael B. Jordan for Sinners, alongside Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), Jesse Plemons (Bugonia), and Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme). For lead actress, Chase Infiniti faces competition from Rose Byrne, Emma Stone, Kate Hudson, and Jessie Buckley.
Notable Snubs and Supporting Contenders
In the supporting categories, Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn will battle Miles Caton (Sinners), Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein), and Paul Mescal (Hamnet). Teyana Taylor is nominated for supporting actress against Wunmi Mosaku, Amy Madigan, Odessa A'zion, and Ariana Grande.
The announcement was not without surprises, as several expected names were omitted. Notable snubs include Wagner Moura, Joel Edgerton, Dwayne Johnson, and the cast of Sentimental Value.
Television Nominations: Comedy and Drama Standouts
On the small screen, Apple's breakout hit The Studio leads with five nominations. Its cast, including Seth Rogen, Kathryn Hahn, Catherine O'Hara, and Ike Barinholtz, are all recognised, alongside an ensemble nod. The show will compete in the comedy ensemble category with Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Hacks, and last year's winner, Only Murders in the Building.
Despite an ensemble nomination, The Bear failed to secure any individual acting nods this year, marking a shift from its previous awards dominance. In drama, The White Lotus leads with four nominations, including for actors Parker Posey, Aimee Lou Wood, and Walton Goggins.
The limited series field was dominated by Netflix's Adolescence, which scored four nominations for actors Stephen Graham, Erin Doherty, Owen Cooper, and Christine Tremarco.
Oscars Indicator and Ceremony Details
The Actor awards are a key bellwether for the Academy Awards, as they are voted on by the 160,000-strong membership of the actors' union, which is the largest voting bloc within the Oscars' governing body. Last year's big winners included Timothée Chalamet, Demi Moore, and Colin Farrell.
The ceremony, which will be broadcast live on Netflix, is scheduled to take place on 1 March. All eyes will be on the results to gauge the likely frontrunners for the upcoming Oscars.
