Awards season is either debated, critiqued and celebrated depending on who you talk to, but the point is: It gets people talking. The big shows (Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, Tonys) are always chock full of the hottest stars at the time and provoke the most competition, but the Critics Choice, BAFTAs and SAG Awards should not be discounted!
In fact, the 26th Screen Actors Guild Awards contains a category that may be the most hotly-contested yet.
I'm talking about the ensemble awards, which, surprisingly, could make history tonight, depending on which films and shows clinch them. I like these categories, because they shine a light on an aspect of a TV show or film that goes unnoticed in other shows: the way a cast works together. Sometimes you can have one great actor in a film, but it falls flat. Other times, casts just don't have great chemistry. Or, even better, a cast has such great chemistry that a film or show that would have tanked actually garners a lot of love. Lookin' at you, "Riverdale."
This year, the ensemble categories contain a lot of nominees that could make history with their wins. Who knew that this category would be the most competitive?
The ensemble nominations are as follows.
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture:
"Bombshell"
"The Irishman"
"Jojo Rabbit"
"Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood"
"Parasite"
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series:
"Big Little Lies"
"The Crown"
"Game of Thrones"
"The Handmaid's Tale"
"Stranger Things"
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series:
"Barry"
"Fleabag"
"The Kominsky Method"
"The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
"Schitt's Creek"
Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture:
"Avengers: Endgame"
"Ford v Ferrari"
"The Irishman"
"Joker"
"Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood"
Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series:
"Game of Thrones"
"Glow"
"Stranger Things"
"Walking Dead"
"Watchmen"
So, first of all, let's talk about "Parasite." Not only is it only the second foreign-language film to ever earn a cast nomination, but this movie is also up for Best Picture at the Oscars, an award that rarely gets handed to a film that hasn't earned the ensemble win. It's also the only indie film to be recognized at this year's SAG Awards...at all. Big stakes.
Then, we can take a look at "Game of Thrones." Astonishingly, the fantasy drama has never won a drama cast award despite being nominated for most of its seasons. I mean, they're doing fine, since they've won every single stunt ensemble award they've been in the running for, but still. It's in both the drama and stunt categories this year, so that's twice the chances. Can they go for a double record?
And there's Olivia Colman. There's always Olivia Colman. She's up for three awards, having never previously won a one! She's nominated for best TV drama actress and both the drama and comedy ensemble awards (for "The Crown" for the former and "Fleabag" with the latter). No one's ever won three SAG awards in one night before, but let's get it, queen.
Lastly, our statuesque treasure Allison Janney. She already has two ensemble awards (from "American Beauty" in 1999 and "The Help" in 2011) and is up for another with "Bombshell." If the Fox News-inspired film takes that win, Janney will be the only actor with three ensemble awards. Get it.
Let's break records, people!