The upcoming Actor Awards, previously known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards, are scheduled to take place on March 1 and will be streamed live on Netflix. Nominations for the awards will be announced on Jan. 7. To be eligible for consideration, performances in both film and television must have debuted between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of the 2025 calendar year. With a voting body of over 122,000 SAG-AFTRA performers, the Actor Awards have one of the largest voting memberships in the industry.
Let’s delve into some of the top races for the upcoming awards:
Film
Group Effort
One unique aspect of the Actor Awards is the inclusion of the ensemble category, which recognizes the collective work of the entire cast in a film. Films with frontrunners for individual nominations often excel in this category. Potential contenders include "Bugonia," "Hamnet," "Jay Kelly," "Marty Supreme," "One Battle After Another," "Sentimental Value," "Sinners," "The Smashing Machine," "Song Sung Blue," and "Wicked: For Good." While individual nominations are not a prerequisite, past winners like "Black Panther" and "Parasite" have secured the ensemble award without individual nods. Other strong ensemble contenders include "Nouvelle Vague," "Nuremberg," "Rental Family," and "Train Dreams."
Competing Co-stars in Supporting
Several films are poised to receive multiple nominations in the supporting actor categories. Standout performances to watch out for include Teyana Taylor and Regina Hall in "One Battle," Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas in "Sentimental Value," and Gwyneth Paltrow and Odessa A’zion in "Marty Supreme." The supporting male actor category could see tough competition between actors like Sean Penn and Benicio del Toro for "One Battle" and Adam Sandler and Billy Crudup for "Jay Kelly." Additionally, performances by Stellan Skarsgård in "Sentimental Value," Jonathan Bailey in "Wicked: For Good," and Mark Hamill in "Life of Chuck" are gaining momentum.
In the Lead
Expect to see familiar faces in the leading actor categories, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, George Clooney, and Hugh Jackman. Newcomers like Michael B. Jordan, Dwayne Johnson, Wagner Moura, and Joel Edgerton could also make a splash. On the female actor side, Jessie Buckley, Cynthia Erivo, Kate Hudson, and Emma Stone are likely contenders, with Renate Reinsve and Rose Byrne potentially earning their first individual nominations.
Television
Emmys Switch Up
The television categories at the Actor Awards may diverge from the Emmys, with shows like "The Morning Show" and "The Gilded Age" becoming eligible for consideration. Notable additions like "Pluribus" and the return of "Stranger Things" are expected to shake up the drama categories. Keep an eye on performances by Rhea Seehorn in "Pluribus" and the ensemble cast of "Stranger Things."
Not So Limited
In the limited series category, "Adolescence" and "Monster: The Ed Gein Story" are anticipated to be strong contenders. Performances by Charlie Hunnam, Laurie Metcalf, Patricia Arquette, Jason Clarke, and Michael Chernus are expected to stand out in this category.
Seeing Double
The possibility of double nominees, such as Carrie Coon for her roles in "The White Lotus" and "The Gilded Age," is not uncommon at the Actor Awards. This year could see a crossover between film and television with Jeremy Allen White, known for his performance in "The Bear."
The upcoming Actor Awards promise to be a thrilling event, showcasing the best performances in film and television from the 2025 calendar year. Stay tuned for the nominations announcement on Jan. 7 and the live streaming of the awards ceremony on March 1 on Netflix.
