Credit: SAG

The SAG-AFTRA nominations have just made the whole race interesting. The nominations for the 32nd Annual Actor Awards ceremony are out, and you can already see where this season might swing. In case you didn’t know, this is the show where actors vote for actors, which means these picks are a clear reflection of what working performers actually respected this year. It does not depend on what critics wrote about or what studios pushed the hardest.

On the film side, the Outstanding Cast category is doing a lot of heavy lifting. Sinners is in there, and that alone keeps Michael B Jordan in the conversation. Frankenstein is showing up strong, with Jacob Elordi also earning a supporting nomination, which is a crystal-clear signal that the guild is paying attention to that performance.

Then we have One Battle After Another resonating across multiple acting slots, and when one film shows up repeatedly in the nominations, that usually means it has serious backing from voters. Keep a serious eye on this category because it tends to shape momentum going forward.

The Leading Actor race is tighter than ever. You have Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan, Ethan Hawke, and Jesse Plemons competing in the same lane. The lineup alone is a tough brainstorming puzzle. It’s so difficult to choose, and the real ones know that the winner is going to win by a close difference.

But if you thought that was tough, wait till you see the television nominations, because those might be even more competitive. The Diplomat and Severance are fighting in the drama category, which shows that Netflix has a strong hold over multiple categories. Jenna Ortega lands in the Comedy Actress race again for Wednesday, and that’s proof that performance still has staying power within the guild. Stranger Things earns a Stunt Ensemble nomination, reminding everyone that technical execution is still valued here.

Limited series categories are strong this year, with Adolescence earning multiple acting nominations. With its past record of multiple wins across multiple awards, this Netflix show is a major contender.

Then there is the big tribute of the night, where Harrison Ford will receive the SAG Life Achievement Award, which always becomes one of the most talked-about moments of the ceremony. This award is chosen by fellow performers, and that makes it feel personal in a way other honours do not.

Kristen Bell returns to host the SAG Awards ceremony, which streams live on Netflix on March 1st at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET. Last year, she managed to host without jumping into awkward territory, so bringing her back makes sense as Netflix continues this multiyear partnership with the guild.

What stands out about this year’s nominations is balance. Big studio films are here, and so are streaming projects. Veteran actors and newer faces are competing in the same categories. And let’s not forget the very capable voting body.

So, it’s time to check all the categories and nominations below and root for your favourite.