By Okla Jones ·Updated March 2, 2026 Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…

The 2026 Actor Awards delivered one of the most exciting nights of the season, shaking up the Oscars race just two weeks before the Academy hands out its trophies on March 15. The ceremony, rebranded from the Screen Actors Guild Awards last November, took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, with Netflix streaming the show live.

Voted on by members of SAG-AFTRA, the awards are often viewed as a key indicator of industry sentiment. This year, they shifted the narrative in a race that had appeared to be tilting toward One Battle After Another. Instead, the night belonged to Sinners and its leading man, Michael B. Jordan.

Ryan Coogler’s opus took the top film prize, Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, in a category where all five nominees are also up for Best Picture at the Oscars. The ensemble award has historically aligned closely with the Academy’s top honor. The victory also made Coogler the first director to helm two ensemble winners at the Actor Awards, following his earlier triumph with 2019’s Black Panther.

Accepting the ensemble award, co-star Delroy Lindo highlighted the film’s impact in spiritual terms. “This project is anointed,” he said. “From that standpoint, we’re all anointed to be a part of this incredible journey, created by the genius of Ryan Coogler.” He later added, “Every single day we brought ourselves, our hearts, our souls, to this endeavor. To be recognized by you all, ‘thank you’ does not come anywhere near to encompassing what we feel, the gratitude.”

Jordan’s win for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role proved to be the night’s biggest surprise. Many had expected Timothée Chalamet to continue his streak after earlier victories. Instead, Jordan received a standing ovation as Viola Davis presented the award.

“I don’t even know where to begin, I wasn’t expecting this at all,” Jordan said. “I feel so honoured and privileged.” He dedicated the moment to his mother. “Mom, thank you for driving me back and forth to New York when we didn’t have enough money to go through the Harlem tunnel, when we were looking for gas money, parking spaces.” He also thanked Coogler and the cast: “Everybody that had something to do with this movie, you gave us your time and your talents and vulnerability and allowed me to do my best work.”

The double win strengthens Sinners’ position heading into the Oscars, where it leads with 16 nominations. Set in the 1930s Mississippi Delta, the film centers on twin brothers whose ambitions are upended by a supernatural force. The Actor Awards recognition signals broad support from fellow performers, a bloc that makes up the Academy’s largest branch.

Take a look at the full list of winners from the 2026 Actors Awards below.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A CAST IN A MOTION PICTURE

Sinners (Warner Bros)

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Michael B. Jordan, Sinners

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Jessie Buckley, Hamnet

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Amy Madigan, Weapons

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Sean Penn, One Battle After Another

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A DRAMA SERIES

The Pitt (HBO Max)

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES

Owen Cooper, Adolescence

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A COMEDY SERIES

The Studio (Apple TV)

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Noah Wyle, The Pitt

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Catherine O’Hara, The Studio

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES

Michelle Williams, Dying For Sex

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Seth Rogen, The Studio

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Keri Russell, The Diplomat

OUTSTANDING STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A TELEVISION SERIES

The Last of Us (HBO)

OUTSTANDING STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (Paramount)

SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award

Harrison Ford

TOPICS:  Academy Awards Actor Awards 2026 Delroy Lindo Michael B. Jordan ryan coogler Sinners Wunmi Mosaku

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