Actor Awards: Sinners shakes up Oscars race as Jessie Buckley remains undefeated
Actor Awards: Sinners Shakes Up Oscars Race as Jessie Buckley Remains Undefeated
This year’s Actor Awards saw the vampire horror film Sinners secure top honors, winning both best ensemble and best actor categories with Michael B. Jordan taking home the best actor prize.
Following a rebrand, the event now operates under the Actors’ Awards banner, previously known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards. It is regarded as a reliable indicator of upcoming Oscar momentum, with the Academy Awards set to take place next month.
Ryan Coogler’s film One Battle After Another regained prominence after receiving a best ensemble nod, despite initial expectations for Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another to dominate at the Oscars. The title, which has already claimed wins at the Directors Guild, Golden Globes, Producers Guild, and BAFTAs, now faces renewed competition.
Jordan’s triumph over Timothyoth Chalamet in the best actor category strengthens his position in the Oscars race, with final ballots still open. The 39-year-old, who won the award after a standing ovation from the audience, remarked:
“It’s pretty cool. Everyone who contributed to this movie gave their time, talent, and vulnerability, letting me do my best work.”
Meanwhile, Jessie Buckley completed a flawless run through major award ceremonies, capturing best actress at the Actor Awards after victories at the Critics’ Choice, Golden Globes, and BAFTAs. The 36-year-old Irish actress delivered a compelling performance in Hamnet, an adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel detailing the death of Shakespeare’s son, a tale believed to have inspired the writing of Hamlet.
Buckley praised her co-star Emily Watson, describing her as “ferocious gentleness” and calling her “the realest of the real.” Her Oscar prospects remain strong, with many analysts viewing her as the frontrunner for the best actress title.
The ceremony, hosted by SAG-AFTRA, was broadcast live on Netflix. A notable moment occurred when Delroy Lindo was awarded the ensemble prize, marking a significant win for British-born talent. Lindo, who accepted the award with gratitude, expressed:
“From the bottom of our hearts to the bottom of your hearts, thank you so much for everything.”
Earlier in the evening, a racial slur was uttered by John Davidson during the presentation of the first award, creating an unexpected twist. This incident followed a previous upset at the BAFTAs, where Sinners made history by securing a record 16 Oscar nominations at the start of the year.
Other standout moments included Harrison Ford being honored with a lifetime achievement award, presented by Woody Harrelson. The 83-year-old actor, who transitioned from carpentry to iconic roles in Star Wars and Indiana Jones, humorously referred to the award as arriving at the “mid-point” of his career.
On the television front, Catherine O’Hara earned a posthumous best female actor in a comedy series award for her role in The Studio, a showbiz satire. The award was accepted on her behalf by Seth Rogen, who also celebrated the ensemble win for the same series. O’Hara, who passed away in January at 71 from a pulmonary embolism, had previously been diagnosed with cancer.
Other TV accolades were awarded to The Pitt for drama series, with Noah Wyle and Keri Russell recognized for their performances in male and female drama categories respectively. Michelle Williams claimed the best female actor in a TV movie or limited series title for her role in Dying for Sex, while Owen Cooper was named best actor in a television movie or limited series for Adolescence, though he was absent in Los Angeles.
