Sinners Wins Big: Michael B. Jordan and ‘The Studio’ Dominate the 2026 Actor Awards
The 2026 Actor Awards proved that 2026 is officially the year of the vampire. Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, a haunting exploration of the segregated South through a supernatural lens, took a massive bite out of the competition Sunday night. The film secured the night’s most prestigious honor—Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture—while its powerhouse lead, Michael B. Jordan, proved once again why he’s a generational talent by taking home the trophy for Best Lead Actor.
It was an emotional evening that balanced high-stakes Hollywood politics with heartfelt tributes. Between the heavy hitters of the big screen and the streaming giants battling for dominance on the small screen, the ceremony (formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards) reminded us why we fall in love with these stories in the first place. Whether it was the “stunt” of the century or a posthumous standing ovation, the 2026 Actor Awards winners reflected a year of incredible range.
Film Categories: A Night of Twins, Witches, and Legends
While Michael B. Jordan was recognized for his dual turn as bootlegging twins in Sinners, the film categories were packed with intense competition. Jessie Buckley delivered a career-defining win for her role in Hamnet, and supporting prizes went to the “villains” of the year: Sean Penn and Amy Madigan.
One of the most moving moments of the night belonged to the legendary Harrison Ford. Accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Star Wars and Indiana Jones icon fought back tears, humbly joking that while others were there for their work, he was there “for being alive.”
TV Categories: ‘The Studio’ and ‘The Pitt’ Take Charge
Over on the small screen, Apple TV’s The Studio proved to be the darling of the industry it satirizes, winning three awards including Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series. In a bittersweet moment, Seth Rogen accepted a posthumous award for the late Catherine O’Hara, praising her “ability to destroy” every single day on set. Meanwhile, HBO Max’s medical drama The Pitt followed closely with two wins, including a Best Actor win for Noah Wyle.
2026 Actor Awards: Full Winners List
Cast Ensemble in a Motion Picture
- “Frankenstein” (Netflix)
- “Hamnet” (Focus Features)
- “Marty Supreme” (A24)
- “One Battle After Another” (Warner Bros.)
- “Sinners” (Warner Bros.) (WINNER)
Male Actor in a Leading Role
- Timothée Chalamet, “Marty Supreme” (A24)
- Leonardo DiCaprio, “One Battle After Another” (Warner Bros.)
- Ethan Hawke, “Blue Moon” (Sony Pictures Classics)
- Michael B. Jordan, “Sinners” (Warner Bros.) (WINNER)
- Jesse Plemons, “Bugonia” (Focus Features)
Female Actor in a Leading Role
- Jessie Buckley, “Hamnet” (Focus Features) (WINNER)
- Rose Byrne, “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” (A24)
- Kate Hudson, “Song Sung Blue” (Focus Features)
- Chase Infiniti, “One Battle After Another” (Warner Bros.)
- Emma Stone, “Bugonia” (Focus Features)
Male Actor in a Supporting Role
- Miles Caton, “Sinners” (Warner Bros.)
- Benicio Del Toro, “One Battle After Another” (Warner Bros.)
- Jacob Elordi, “Frankenstein” (Netflix)
- Paul Mescal, “Hamnet” (Focus Features)
- Sean Penn, “One Battle After Another” (Warner Bros.) (WINNER)
Female Actor in a Supporting Role
- Odessa A’zion, “Marty Supreme” (A24)
- Ariana Grande, “Wicked: For Good” (Universal Pictures)
- Amy Madigan, “Weapons” (Warner Bros.) (WINNER)
- Wunmi Mosaku, “Sinners” (Warner Bros.)
- Teyana Taylor, “One Battle After Another” (Warner Bros.)
Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
- “F1” (Apple Original Films/Warner Bros.)
- “Frankenstein” (Netflix)
- “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” (Paramount Pictures) (WINNER)
- “One Battle After Another” (Warner Bros.)
- “Sinners” (Warner Bros.)
Cast Ensemble in a Drama Series
- “The Diplomat” (Netflix)
- “Landman” (Paramount+)
- “The Pitt” (HBO Max) (WINNER)
- “Severance” (Apple TV)
- “The White Lotus” (HBO Max)
Cast Ensemble in a Comedy Series
- “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
- “The Bear” (FX)
- “Hacks” (HBO Max)
- “Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu)
- “The Studio” (Apple TV) (WINNER)
Male Actor in a Drama Series
- Sterling K. Brown, “Paradise” (Hulu)
- Billy Crudup, “The Morning Show” (Apple TV)
- Walton Goggins, “The White Lotus” (HBO Max)
- Gary Oldman, “Slow Horses” (Apple TV)
- Noah Wyle, “The Pitt” (HBO Max) (WINNER)
Female Actor in a Drama Series
- Britt Lower, “Severance” (Apple TV)
- Parker Posey, “The White Lotus” (HBO Max)
- Keri Russell, “The Diplomat” (Netflix) (WINNER)
- Rhea Seehorn, “Pluribus” (Apple TV)
- Aimee Lou Wood, “The White Lotus” (HBO Max)
Male Actor in a Comedy Series
- Ike Barinholtz, “The Studio” (Apple TV)
- Adam Brody, “Nobody Wants This” (Netflix)
- Ted Danson, “A Man on the Inside” (Netflix)
- Seth Rogen, “The Studio” (Apple TV) (WINNER)
- Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu)
Female Actor in a Comedy Series
- Kathryn Hahn, “The Studio” (Apple TV)
- Catherine O’Hara, “The Studio” (Apple TV) (WINNER)
- Jenna Ortega, “Wednesday” (Netflix)
- Jean Smart, “Hacks” (HBO Max)
- Kristen Wiig, “Palm Royale” (Apple TV)
Male Actor in a TV Movie or Limited Series
- Jason Bateman, “Black Rabbit” (Netflix)
- Owen Cooper, “Adolescence” (Netflix) (WINNER)
- Stephen Graham, “Adolescence” (Netflix)
- Charlie Hunnam, “Monster: The Ed Gein Story” (Netflix)
- Matthew Rhys, “The Beast in Me” (Netflix)
Female Actor in a TV Movie or Limited Series
- Claire Danes, “The Beast in Me” (Netflix)
- Erin Doherty, “Adolescence” (Netflix)
- Sarah Snook, “All Her Fault” (Peacock)
- Christine Tremarco, “Adolescence” (Netflix)
- Michelle Williams, “Dying for Sex” (FX) (WINNER)
Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series
- “Stranger Things” (Netflix)
- “Andor” (Disney+)
- “Landman” (Paramount+)
- “The Last of Us” (HBO Max) (WINNER)
- “Squid Game” (Netflix)
A Night to Remember
The 2026 Actor Awards weren’t just about the trophies; they were a snapshot of an industry in flux. From the corporate drama of the Netflix-Paramount bidding war to the somber reflections on global conflicts, the ceremony felt grounded in the real world even as it celebrated the magic of the screen. As we head into the rest of the awards season, all eyes are now on Sinners to see if its momentum can carry it all the way to the Oscars.
What was your biggest surprise of the night? Was Keri Russell’s upset win over Rhea Seehorn deserved, or did the voters get it wrong? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
