On March 1, 2026, Hollywood’s brightest stars gathered at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles for the 32nd annual Actor Awards—formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Hosted by the ever-charming Kristen Bell and broadcast live on Netflix, the evening celebrated the best performances in film and television, while also reflecting the industry’s evolving landscape and the world’s current challenges.
The night’s biggest winner was Sinners, a vampire epic set in the segregated South and directed by Ryan Coogler. The film, produced by Warner Bros., took home the prestigious Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture award, cementing its place as a frontrunner in this year’s awards season. Michael B. Jordan, who delivered a powerhouse performance as bootlegging twins, was recognized with the Outstanding Male Actor in a Leading Role prize. In a heartfelt speech, Jordan remarked, “Just being in this room right now with all these people who saw me grow up in front of the camera…I feel the love and support that you’ve always given me and encouraged me to go on and do my best.” According to Variety, Jordan appeared genuinely moved by the honor, reflecting on a career that has unfolded before many of the very faces in the audience.
Sinners entered the night with five nominations, trailing only behind One Battle After Another, which set a new Actor Awards record with seven. Despite strong competition—especially from One Battle After Another, which had already secured wins at the Directors Guild, Producers Guild, Golden Globe, and Critics Choice Awards—Sinners was widely considered the favorite for the top prize. The film’s success at the Actor Awards was particularly notable given that its main rival had dominated much of the season’s earlier accolades.
Ryan Coogler made history as the first director to helm two Best Ensemble winners at the Actor Awards, having previously triumphed with Black Panther in 2018. This achievement underscores Coogler’s growing influence in Hollywood and his knack for bringing together casts whose chemistry electrifies audiences and critics alike.
In the other major film categories, Jessie Buckley emerged victorious as Outstanding Female Actor in a Leading Role for her portrayal of a grief-stricken mother in Hamnet. Buckley, who was the favorite going into the evening, added another trophy to her growing collection, further establishing herself as one of the most compelling actresses of her generation. The supporting actor prizes went to two memorably villainous performances: Sean Penn’s turn as a demented soldier in One Battle After Another earned him Outstanding Male Actor in a Supporting Role, while Amy Madigan’s portrayal of a literal witch in Weapons secured her the Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role award. Madigan, reflecting on the honor, said, “Actors love other actors — they just love being with them.”
The competition for the leading actor prize in a motion picture was especially fierce this year. Timothée Chalamet, nominated for his role in Marty Supreme, was attempting to make history as the first performer to win two consecutive individual lead Actor Awards for motion picture. He faced stiff competition from Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), Jesse Plemons (Bugonia), and, of course, Michael B. Jordan. Chalamet had previously won Critics Choice and the Golden Globe, but it was Jordan who ultimately took home the Actor Award, further intensifying the Oscar race ahead.
On the television side, Apple TV’s The Studio was the night’s comedy darling, winning a leading three awards, including Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. Seth Rogen, co-creator and star, was honored as Outstanding Male Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of a hapless movie executive. The late Catherine O’Hara, who passed away in January at age 71, was awarded Outstanding Female Actor in a Comedy Series posthumously. Rogen accepted her award, sharing, “I’ve just been marveling over the last few weeks [at] her ability to be generous and kind and gracious, while never ever minimizing her own talents and her own ability to contribute to the work that we were doing. She knew she could destroy, and she wanted to destroy every day on set.”
In drama, HBO Max’s The Pitt took home Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, with Noah Wyle adding to his Emmy and Golden Globe haul by winning Outstanding Male Actor in a Drama Series for his role as an emergency room doctor. Keri Russell pulled off a surprise win as Outstanding Female Actor in a Drama Series for her role as a cunning ambassador in Netflix’s The Diplomat, beating out strong contenders such as Rhea Seehorn (Pluribus).
The limited series categories saw Michelle Williams win Outstanding Female Actor for her moving portrayal in Dying for Sex, while 16-year-old Owen Cooper took home Outstanding Male Actor for his role in Netflix’s Adolescence, besting his own co-star Stephen Graham. The awards for stunt ensembles went to Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning in film and The Last of Us in television, recognizing the daring and often unsung work of stunt performers.
One of the most emotional moments of the night came when Harrison Ford, the legendary star of franchises like Star Wars and Indiana Jones, was honored with the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award. Presented by Woody Harrelson, Ford delivered a speech laced with humility and humor: “I’m in a room of actors many of whom are here because they’ve been nominated to receive a prize for their amazing work, while I’m here to receive a prize for being alive.” Ford fought back tears as he reflected on a career that has inspired generations.
Yet the ceremony was not without somber reflection. With the U.S. and Israel engaged in conflict with Iran, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, executive director of SAG-AFTRA, addressed the audience: “Our thoughts are with all those whose lives are in danger overseas right now, and I think if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that we wish for peace and we mourn those whose lives have been lost.” The moment was a poignant reminder of the world beyond the red carpet.
The business side of the industry also made headlines during the week. Netflix, which hosted the awards show, had recently bowed out of a high-stakes bidding war with Paramount Skydance to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery—the parent company behind both The Pitt and Sinners. Paramount’s $110 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery marks one of the largest media mergers in history, signaling further shifts in the entertainment landscape.
Voted on by approximately 160,000 members of SAG-AFTRA, the Actor Awards remain a crucial bellwether for the Oscars, set to take place on March 15. As the dust settles from a night filled with triumphs, tears, and tributes, the industry now looks ahead to the final stretch of awards season, with Sinners and its cast leading the charge.