The 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG Awards) unfolded at the Shrine Auditorium on Sunday, broadcasting live on Netflix, and showcased the pinnacle of talent from both film and television over the past year. This year's ceremony was hosted by Kristen Bell, marking her return after she became the first-ever host of the SAG Awards back in 2018.
This year, Timothée Chalamet emerged as the standout winner, capturing the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for his role as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. Chalamet, visibly emotional, acknowledged the significance of the honor, stating, "I was not expecting this at all. The truth is it was five-and-a-half years of my life. I poured everything I had... This does not signify greatness, but it’s fuel to keep going." At just 29 years old, Chalamet became the youngest actor to win this award, surpassing the previous record held by Nicolas Cage.
On the film side, Demi Moore won the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for her role in The Substance. Meanwhile, the cast of Conclave took home the award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, beating out other nominees such as A Complete Unknown and Wicked, which was left empty-handed after garnering five nominations.
Despite its high expectations, Wicked faced disappointment, failing to win any awards. This outcome could raise questions about its prospects for the upcoming Academy Awards, as the SAG Awards have historically been seen as indicators for Oscar success. Notably, Shōgun, the FX series based on James Clavell's epic novel, dominated the television categories, winning four awards, including Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.
Jane Fonda was honored with the SAG Life Achievement Award, celebrating her illustrious career and humanitarian efforts. During her acceptance speech, she spoke powerfully about the importance of empathy, saying, "Make no mistake, empathy is not weak or 'woke.'" Fonda's words echoed the enduring relevance of empathy and social responsibility within the industry.
Here’s the full rundown of winners for the 31st SAG Awards:
Film
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: Timothée Chalamet, A Complete Unknown
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: Demi Moore, The Substance
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: Conclave
Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble: The Fall Guy.
Television
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series: Colin Farrell, The Penguin
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series: Jessica Gunning, Baby Reindeer
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: Hiroyuki Sanada, Shōgun
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: Anna Sawai, Shōgun
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: Jean Smart, Hacks
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: Shōgun
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: Only Murders in the Building
Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble: Shōgun.
The SAG Awards have the distinction of being the only major awards show determined entirely by actors' peers, as they are voted on by more than 122,000 members of SAG-AFTRA. This unique peer-judged system lends significant credibility to the winners, many of whom are seen as key contenders for the impending Academy Awards.
The ceremony not only spotlighted remarkable performances but also served as another barometer for observant Oscar enthusiasts who are eager to predict which performances will resonate come Oscar night. The night closed with Bell humorously commenting on her hosting experience, echoing the sentiments of many actors about the power and camaraderie within the industry. Entertaining segments, celebrity tributes, and memorable acceptance speeches highlighted the evening, as the entertainment community celebrated its own.