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Following a dominant awards season by One Battle After Another, Sinners clinched the best ensemble award at the Screen Actors Guild’s 32nd Actor Awards on Sunday, paving the way for an exciting showdown in two weeks at the Academy Awards.
Sinners Wins Best Ensemble
The guild’s honors, previously referred to as the SAG Awards, are among the most closely monitored precursors to the Oscars. Actors constitute the largest segment of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and their selections at the Actor Awards frequently coincide.
Ryan Coogler’s blues-infused vampire tale has emerged victorious, indicating it may have a solid opportunity to secure an Oscar as well, even with a lengthy streak of accolades for Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, which has garnered major awards from the Golden Globes, Producers Guild Awards, BAFTAs, and Directors Guild Awards.
The victory on Sunday, during a Netflix-broadcast event at the Shine Auditorium in Los Angeles, altered the dynamics of the Oscar competition. Delroy Lindo represented the film’s ensemble during his speech.
One Battle After Another Dominates
"We are truly grateful for all that you have done, from the depths of our hearts to yours," Lindo expressed.
Just moments before, Michael B. Jordan claimed the award for best male actor, surprising many by defeating the frontrunner, Timothee Chalamet, and securing the most prestigious accolade of his celebrated career at 39 years old. Even Jordan appeared taken aback as the crowd erupted in applause.
"I really didn't see this coming at all," remarked Jordan, who took a moment to reflect on his journey as an actor before he took a breath to savor the occasion. "Absolutely, this is quite amazing."
Upcoming Academy Awards Showdown
On Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles, Jessie Buckley celebrated her win for outstanding performance by a female actor in a leading role for "Hamnet" in the press room during the 32nd Annual Actor Awards. (Jordan Strauss/The Associated Press)
As anticipated, Jessie Buckley secured the award for best female actor for her role in Hamnet. However, the outcomes for the other acting categories have been more challenging to predict. On Sunday, Sean Penn took home the award for best supporting male actor for One Battle After Another, while Amy Madigan received the best supporting female actor award for Weapons.
The 75-year-old Madigan, who had not previously received a nomination from the guild, appeared genuinely taken aback. During her meandering yet delightful acceptance speech, she glanced down at the award in her hands.
Impact of SAG Awards on Oscars
"It’s reminiscent of being a child when you had the Barbie doll, and then you received Ken, only to pull down his pants and exclaim, 'Wow, that’s it?"' quipped Madigan before expressing regret for losing focus.
Actress Catherine O’Hara recognized
Catherine O’Hara was awarded best female actor in a comedy series posthumously for her role as a film executive in the satirical series The Studio. She passed away at 71 on January 30 due to a blood clot in her lungs. During the announcement of her win at the Shine Auditorium in Los Angeles, the audience gave her a heartfelt standing ovation.
Seth Rogen, one of the creators of The Studio, accepted the award on her behalf. He reminisced about a dedicated collaborator who would, the evening prior to filming a scene, consistently send a courteous email with proposed edits. Rogen remarked that O’Hara “demonstrated that it’s possible to be both brilliant and compassionate.”
"If there are individuals in your life who are unfamiliar with her work," Rogen remarked, "introduce them to O'Hara performing to Harry Belafonte in Beetlejuice, show them O'Hara injuring her knee in Best in Show and executing that incredible act of hobbling around, and as they laugh, remind them that this is Catherine O'Hara, and we were fortunate to exist in a world where she so generously shared her gifts with us."
TRIBUTE | The entertainment world mourns the loss of comedy icon Catherine O’Hara: The beloved Canadian actress Catherine O’Hara has passed away at the age of 71, leaving fans in Canada and Hollywood in disbelief and grief. The cause of her sudden death has not yet been disclosed. Duration 3:31
The event, organized by the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA, was broadcast live on Netflix. Kristen Bell, back as the host, opened the ceremony with an upbeat musical performance, despite the ongoing conflict in Iran and turmoil within the entertainment sector.
The individual honorees featured Keri Russell (The Diplomat), Rogen (The Studio), Michelle Williams (Dying for Sex), Owen Cooper (Adolescence), and Noah Wyle (The Pitt) at the 2026 actor awards.
2026 Actor Recognition Prize
Harrison Ford received the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award, humorously presented by Woody Harrelson. The 83-year-old actor expressed his gratitude and felt honored by the recognition.
"I find myself in a space filled with performers, many of whom are present due to their nominations for outstanding achievements, while I am here to be honored simply for existing," remarked Ford, who referred to it as "the midpoint" of his journey.
On Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles, Harrison Ford received the lifetime achievement award during the 32nd Annual Actor Awards, while Woody Harrelson observed from the right. (Chris Pizzello/The Associated Press)
Ford became emotional during much of his address, reminiscing about a journey he described as "not a quick rise to fame." He referred to the accolade as "incredibly uplifting."
"I consider myself quite fortunate," Ford remarked. "Fortunate to have discovered my community. Fortunate to engage in work that pushes my limits. Fortunate to still be at it."
