The 32nd Annual SAG Actor Awards Nominations: Peers, Power Plays, and Prestige
The countdown to one of the most respected nights in entertainment is officially on. The 32nd Annual Actor Awards, presented by SAG-AFTRA, are shaping up to be a defining moment for film and television in 2026; one that reflects not just star power, but the collective strength of performance as a craft. With nominations spanning prestige indies, blockbuster films, buzzy streaming series, and ensemble-driven storytelling, this year’s Actor Awards lineup reads like a state-of-the-industry snapshot.
Unlike awards that emphasize auteurs or studios, the Actor Awards remain singular in their focus: performances judged by peers. That distinction matters. It’s why these nominations often feel more grounded, more actor-forward, and more predictive of long-term cultural impact than almost any other awards body. The 2026 nominations reaffirm that mission with a slate that balances veteran heavyweights, first-time nominees, and breakout performances across genres.
Motion Pictures: performance-led storytelling takes center stage
The motion picture categories reveal a competitive and refreshingly diverse field. In Female Actor in a Leading Role, the range is striking, from intimate character studies to bold, high-concept narratives. Performances like Jessie Buckley’s turn in Hamnet and Emma Stone’s work in Bugonia underscore how emotionally demanding roles are continuing to dominate awards conversations, while Kate Hudson and Rose Byrne signal a welcome resurgence of complex, mature female-led storytelling.
The Male Actor in a Leading Role category is equally stacked, pairing generational talent with transformative performances. Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke, Michael B. Jordan, and Jesse Plemons represent a diverse range of acting philosophies, from method-driven immersion to restrained, character-driven realism. Notably, One Battle After Another and Sinners emerge as actor showcases rather than mere vehicles, reinforcing the idea that performance is once again the selling point.
Supporting categories may be where this year’s motion picture slate truly shines. Ariana Grande’s continued evolution as a screen performer, Wunmi Mosaku’s powerful dramatic presence, and Jacob Elordi’s genre-bending turn in Frankenstein highlight how supporting roles are no longer secondary—they’re often the emotional spine of their films.
The Actor Awards have long championed ensemble work, and 2026 doubles down on that philosophy. Nominees for Cast in a Motion Picture—Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, and Sinners—are united by one thing: no weak links. These films succeed because of chemistry, balance, and trust among performers.
Stunt Ensemble nominations further emphasize the industry’s growing respect for physical storytelling. With titles like Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and F1 in the mix, the category acknowledges that performance doesn’t stop at dialogue—it extends to movement, risk, and precision.
Television: prestige, popularity, and performance collide
On the television side, the nominations feel like a definitive endorsement of the current “golden era” of serialized storytelling. Limited series categories spotlight emotionally demanding performances in projects like Adolescence, The Beast in Me, and Dying for Sex, while drama series nominations confirm the staying power of shows such as The White Lotus, Severance, and The Diplomat.
Comedy categories offer a sharp reminder that humor remains one of the hardest skills to master. Performers from The Studio, Hacks, Only Murders in the Building, and Wednesday prove that comedic acting today requires just as much nuance, timing, and vulnerability as drama, if not more. Ensemble nominations in both drama and comedy underline a broader trend: audiences and voters alike are gravitating toward shows that feel lived-in and collaborative. Whether it’s the controlled chaos of The Bear or the layered interpersonal dynamics of Abbott Elementary, ensemble storytelling is clearly winning hearts and votes.
One of the most exciting aspects of the 2026 nominations is the sheer number of first-time nominees, 26 individual actors making their Actor Awards debut. That statistic alone signals a healthy, evolving industry that’s willing to recognize new voices rather than recycle the same accolades year after year. The data tells an equally compelling story. One Battle After Another leads motion pictures with seven nominations, while Sinners and Frankenstein follow closely behind. On television, The Studio dominates with five nominations, and The White Lotus and Adolescence continue to assert their cultural relevance. Studio and network tallies reinforce a streaming-heavy landscape, with Netflix and Apple TV+ leading television nominations and Warner Bros. Pictures dominating film, a clear indication of where investment, risk-taking, and performance-driven projects are thriving.
Why the 2026 SAG Actor Awards matter
This year’s Actor Awards aren’t just a celebration; they’re a statement. They affirm that performance still sits at the heart of storytelling, even in an era of IP, algorithms, and franchise fatigue. They reward collaboration over ego, depth over spectacle, and actors who push themselves and their audiences further. As anticipation builds toward the 2026 ceremony, one thing is clear: these nominations reflect an industry in motion, embracing change while honoring craft. For audiences, it’s a must-watch awards season. For performers, it’s peer recognition at its most meaningful.
The 32nd SAG Actor Awards Nominees
Film
Cast Ensemble in a Motion Picture
- “Frankenstein” (Netflix)
- “Hamnet” (Focus Features)
- “Marty Supreme” (A24)
- “One Battle After Another” (Warner Bros.)
- “Sinners” (Warner Bros.)
Male Actor in a Leading Role
- Timothée Chalamet, “Marty Supreme” (A24)
- Leonardo DiCaprio, “One Battle After Another” (Warner Bros.)
- Ethan Hawke, “Blue Moon” (Sony Pictures Classics)
- Michael B. Jordan, “Sinners” (Warner Bros.)
- Jesse Plemons, “Bugonia” (Focus Features)
Female Actor in a Leading Role
- Jessie Buckley, “Hamnet” (Focus Features)
- Rose Byrne, “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” (A24)
- Kate Hudson, “Song Sung Blue” (Focus Features)
- Chase Infiniti, “One Battle After Another” (Warner Bros.)
- Emma Stone, “Bugonia” (Focus Features)
Male Actor in a Supporting Role
- Miles Caton, “Sinners” (Warner Bros.)
- Benicio Del Toro, “One Battle After Another” (Warner Bros.)
- Jacob Elordi, “Frankenstein” (Netflix)
- Paul Mescal, “Hamnet” (Focus Features)
- Sean Penn, “One Battle After Another” (Warner Bros.)
Female Actor in a Supporting Role
- Odessa A’zion, “Marty Supreme” (A24)
- Ariana Grande, “Wicked: For Good” (Universal Pictures)
- Amy Madigan, “Weapons” (Warner Bros.)
- Wunmi Mosaku, “Sinners” (Warner Bros.)
- Teyana Taylor, “One Battle After Another” (Warner Bros.)
Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
- “F1” (Apple Original Films/Warner Bros.)
- “Frankenstein” (Netflix)
- “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” (Paramount Pictures)
- “One Battle After Another” (Warner Bros.)
- “Sinners” (Warner Bros.)
Television
Cast Ensemble in a Drama Series
- “The Diplomat” (Netflix)
- “Landman” (Paramount+)
- “The Pitt” (HBO Max)
- “Severance” (Apple TV)
- “The White Lotus” (HBO Max)
Cast Ensemble in a Comedy Series
- “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
- “The Bear” (FX)
- “Hacks” (HBO Max)
- “Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu)
- “The Studio” (Apple TV)
Male Actor in a Drama Series
- Sterling K. Brown, “Paradise” (Hulu)
- Billy Crudup, “The Morning Show” (Apple TV)
- Walton Goggins, “The White Lotus” (HBO Max)
- Gary Oldman, “Slow Horses” (Apple TV)
- Noah Wyle, “The Pitt” (HBO Max)
Female Actor in a Drama Series
- Britt Lower, “Severance” (Apple TV)
- Parker Posey, “The White Lotus” (HBO Max)
- Keri Russell, “The Diplomat” (Netflix)
- Rhea Seehorn, “Pluribus” (Apple TV)
- Aimee Lou Wood, “The White Lotus” (HBO Max)
Male Actor in a Comedy Series
- Ike Barinholtz, “The Studio” (Apple TV)
- Adam Brody, “Nobody Wants This” (Netflix)
- Ted Danson, “A Man on the Inside” (Netflix)
- Seth Rogen, “The Studio” (Apple TV)
- Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu)
Female Actor in a Comedy Series
- Kathryn Hahn, “The Studio” (Apple TV)
- Catherine O’Hara, “The Studio” (Apple TV)
- Jenna Ortega, “Wednesday” (Netflix)
- Jean Smart, “Hacks” (HBO Max)
- Kristen Wiig, “Palm Royale” (Apple TV)
Male Actor in a TV Movie or Limited Series
- Jason Bateman, “Black Rabbit” (Netflix)
- Owen Cooper, “Adolescence” (Netflix)
- Stephen Graham, “Adolescence” (Netflix)
- Charlie Hunnam, “Monster: The Ed Gein Story” (Netflix)
- Matthew Rhys, “The Beast in Me” (Netflix)
Female Actor in a TV Movie or Limited Series
- Claire Danes, “The Beast in Me” (Netflix)
- Erin Doherty, “Adolescence” (Netflix)
- Sarah Snook, “All Her Fault” (Peacock)
- Christine Tremarco, “Adolescence” (Netflix)
- Michelle Williams, “Dying for Sex” (FX)
Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series
- “Andor” (Disney+)
- “Landman” (Paramount+)
- “The Last of Us” (HBO Max)
- “Squid Game” (Netflix)
- “Stranger Things” (Netflix)
The 32nd annual Actor Awards, presented by SAG-AFTRA, takes place on March 1 and streams on Netflix. To learn more about the nominations and this award show in general, check out the SAG Actors Awards website! Which films and television series are you hoping will win at this award show? Let us know @bsb.insider on all social media platforms!
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