Abbott Elementary’s Quinta Brunson and Janelle James opened the 29th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, as much of the film and television world gathered for a possible preview of the Academy Awards.
Although Brunson and James didn’t host, they opened the ceremony by live-streaming it on Netflix’s YouTube page with a few opening jokes, including one pointing out that Viola Davis, a recent Grammy winner, won the EGOT status and transitioned to ShEGOTallofthem.
First prize at the ceremony went to last year’s winner, Jessica Chastain. A year after winning for her starring role in the film The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Chastain won Best Actress in a TV Movie or Limited Series for Showtime’s country music power couple series George & Tammy . Chastain came from previews of the upcoming Broadway revival of A Doll’s House.
After the SAG Awards, presented by film and television actors’ guild SAG-AFRTA, lost their home broadcast on TNT/TBS, Netflix signed on to stream the ceremony. Although future editions will be live-streamed directly on Netflix, this year’s show at Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles can be viewed on the streaming service’s YouTube page and social media channels.
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “The Banshees of Inisherin” come out on top with five nominations. Each film is up for the Guild’s highest award, Best Ensemble, alongside Babylon, The Fabelmans, and Women Talking.
One award was announced from the red carpet ahead of the show: “Top Gun: Maverick” won for Best Stunt Ensemble.
Last year, the top winners at the Screen Actors Guild Awards all matched the Academy Awards winners exactly. The SAG Awards are considered one of the most reliable Oscar leaders. Actors make up the largest percentage of the film academy, so their decisions have the most impact. Last year, “CODA” triumphed at SAG before winning the Oscars for Best Picture, while Ariana DeBose, Will Smith, Jessica Chastain and Troy Kotsur all won both a SAG Award and an Academy Award.
“Everything at once” seems increasingly like an unstoppable juggernaut. In the week leading up to the SAG Awards, it won from both producers and directors.
With both supporting categories seemingly seeded by Angela Bassett (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”) and Ke Huy Quan (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”), Sunday’s SAG Awards may offer the most clarity in the leading actor awards.
Best Actress could be either Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere at Once”) or Cate Blanchett (“Tár”). While Andrea Riseborough’s much-discussed campaign resulted in an Oscar nomination, some of the most notable Oscar nudges are up for grabs for Best Actress. Despite being nominated by the Actors Guild, Danielle Deadwyler (“Till”) and Viola Davis (“The Woman King”) were overlooked by the Academy, prompting some to denounce racial prejudice in Hollywood. Ana de Armas (“Blonde”) is also nominated.
For best actor, Austin Butler (“Elvis”), Brendan Fraser (“The Whale”) and Colin Farrell (“The Banshees of Inisherin”) are considered contenders with a realistic chance of winning. The Guild also nominated Adam Sandler (“Hustle”) and Bill Nighy (“Living”).
On the TV side, nominations for Best Ensemble in a Drama Series are: “Better Call Saul”, “The Crown”, “Ozark”, “Severance” and “The White Lotus”. Best Comedy Series cast members from Abbott Elementary, Barry, The Bear, Hacks and Only Murders in the Building.
Sunday’s presenters include Zendaya (who received her first SAG nomination for her starring role in “Euphoria”), Aubrey Plaza, Jenna Ortega, Adam Scott, Chastain and Jeff Bridges. Sally Field receives the SAG Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to her by Andrew Garfield.
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