Conclave, a gripping thriller centered on the election of a new pope, took home the top honor for Best Motion Picture Cast at the 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Shōgun, an epic portrayal of feudal Japan, and Only Murders in the Building, a satirical mystery, won the TV ensemble awards in the drama and comedy categories, respectively.
The evening was filled with tributes to Los Angeles, a city still recovering from this year’s devastating wildfires. “The city and the people in it have been put through the wringer,” said host Kristen Bell before introducing tables of first responders. “There is no way to properly express our gratitude to all of you,” she added.
The ceremony wasn’t without its hiccups, as several technical difficulties arose throughout the night. Jane Fonda’s lifetime achievement award acceptance speech was interrupted by a pre-recorded announcement, while presenters like Andrew Scott and Adam Brody struggled with malfunctioning microphones.
In the television categories, Shōgun dominated with four wins, including Best Lead Actor and Actress in a Drama Series for Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai, who portray a cunning warlord and his trusted interpreter.
The show also won for its stunt work. Both the series and its stars have been major contenders this awards season, securing top accolades at the Golden Globes and the Emmys.
“I feel like I’m in a dream of dreams,” Sanada said, fighting back tears while accepting his award.
On the film side, no single movie swept the awards, with honors spread among various contenders. Conclave’s win marks a significant moment in an unpredictable awards season, where early favorites like Emilia Pérez faced setbacks due to controversies.
Anora, which lost the ensemble prize to Conclave, had previously won at the Directors Guild and Producers Guild Awards, positioning it as an Oscars frontrunner. However, Conclave’s SAG win, coupled with its BAFTA victory, suggests it could ultimately claim the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown) and Demi Moore (The Substance) were awarded Best Leading Actor and Actress.
Chalamet underwent a transformation to portray a young Bob Dylan during his folk music years, while Moore played an actress and fitness guru dismissed by misogynistic executives for aging out of Hollywood’s ideal.
“We’re in a subjective business, but the truth is I’m really in pursuit of greatness,” said Chalamet, who triumphed over the heavily favored Adrien Brody (The Brutalist).
“I know people don’t usually talk like that, but I want to be one of the greats. I’m inspired by the greats. I’m inspired by the greats here tonight. I’m as inspired by Daniel Day-Lewis, Marlon Brando, and Viola Davis as I am by Michael Jordan, Michael Phelps, and I want to be up there.”
Moore’s victory represents a remarkable comeback after years of being sidelined by Hollywood’s ageism and sexism—issues that The Substance directly addresses.
Overwhelmed with emotion, she reflected on her journey: “That little girl who didn’t believe in herself,” she said. “The words are kind of beyond me, so I’m just gonna have to say thank you.”
Jean Smart secured her third win for Best Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as a legendary stand-up comic in Hacks, while Martin Short won Best Actor in a Comedy Series for playing a Broadway producer in Only Murders in the Building. Neither was in attendance—Smart was filming another project, and Short was out due to COVID.
Kieran Culkin, previously a SAG nominee for his portrayal of a sharp-tongued corporate heir in Succession, won Best Supporting Actor for his role as a talkative American on a trip to Poland in A Real Pain.
“It is funny that the heaviest of all awards is the one that’s given by actors,” Culkin joked, lifting his hefty statue. “It’s like, you know, us, what we do means so much.”
Zoe Saldaña was honored as Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Emilia Pérez, where she played a lawyer representing a cartel leader undergoing gender-affirming surgery. “I believe that everybody has the right to be who they are,” she stated. “Emilia Pérez is about truth and it is about love.”
In the television movie and limited series categories, Jessica Gunning won Best Actress for her haunting portrayal of a stalker in Baby Reindeer, while Colin Farrell took home Best Actor for his chilling transformation into the deformed crime boss at the center of The Penguin.
Farrell reflected on his craft, saying, “It’s playtime. You don’t get to fully grow up. You get to kind of keep the dream of a child alive, to try to figure out what it is to be human.”
This year’s SAG Awards unfolded amid a time of political uncertainty, with former President Donald Trump—largely opposed by Hollywood’s creative community—returning to the national stage.
Unlike during his first term, industry executives have been more cautious in their public commentary. However, Jane Fonda, a longtime activist known for films like Klute and 9 to 5, used her platform to call for action.
“This is big-time serious, folks, so let’s be brave,” Fonda urged. “This is a good time for a little Norma Rae or Karen Silkwood or Tom Joad. We must not isolate. We must stay in community. We must help the vulnerable. We must find ways to protect an inspiring vision of the future.”
Beyond political statements, the night also celebrated regional pride. Alongside tributes to Los Angeles, the show featured a montage of films and television series—from Chinatown to Baywatch—that were shot in the city, highlighting its cinematic legacy.
Despite remaining the heart of the entertainment industry, L.A. has seen a decline in productions due to tax incentives drawing filmmakers to Georgia and the U.K. In light of the recent wildfires, some have advocated for a resurgence of film and TV projects in the city to help revitalize the local economy.
The SAG Awards streamed live on Netflix for the second consecutive year. It also marked the second time Kristen Bell hosted the event—having first taken on the role in 2018 when the ceremony aired on cable.
See the full list of winners below:
- Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Conclave - Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Demi Moore (The Substance) - Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown) - Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Only Murders in the Building - Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
Shōgun
