Wicked dominated the 31st Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards nominations in Wednesday's announcement, leading with five nods.
Nominations include best ensemble and individual recognition for Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and Jonathan Bailey.
Why It Matters
The awards ceremony, a key predictor for the Oscars, is scheduled for February 23 and will be streamed on Netflix. However, the announcement was overshadowed by devastating wildfires across Los Angeles and Southern California that forced SAG to forgo a live event, opting instead for a press release.
The convergence of entertainment's awards season with the state's increasingly extreme natural disasters defining a tumultuous moment for locals.
What to Know
Over 1,000 structures have been destroyed in wildfires wreaking havoc throughout California. Two people lost their lives as firefighters battle at least four major blazes fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds.
Among the affected areas were Pasadena, the Pacific Palisades, and the San Fernando Valley. Evacuation orders displaced thousands, including high-profile residents, and several public institutions, including NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Universal Studios Hollywood, were forced to close.
Amid this chaos, the SAG Awards proceeded with its nomination announcements, acknowledging the palpable distress of witnessing acres of the state burn. Wicked and other leading films are expected to gain significant momentum for the Academy Awards. SAG winners often align closely with Oscar outcomes––a trend seen in recent years with Oppenheimer and Everything Everywhere All at Once. The film's strong showing builds on its recognition by the National Board of Review and the Golden Globes in the past week.
Following closely was the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, with four nominations, including best ensemble. Timothée Chalamet's portrayal of Dylan earned him a nod for Best Male Actor, alongside supporting nominations for Edward Norton and Monica Barbaro.
TV Hits, Surprising Snubs
In television, FX's Shōgun led the pack with five nominations, continuing its winning streak from the Emmys and Golden Globes. Other standout nominees included The Bear and Abbott Elementary in the comedy categories and The Diplomat in drama.
Several high-profile actors were notably absent from the awards nominations: Nicole Kidman in Babygirl, Denzel Washington in Gladiator II and Sebastian Stan, despite his roles in both The Apprentice and A Different Man, the latter of which he won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture–Drama.
What People Are Saying
David Acuña, a battalion chief for Cal Fire said this is only the third time in 30 years a wildfire of this kind has happened in January. "This is a rare event," he said, adding that California fire officials no longer talk about "fire seasons"––they talk about "fire years".
The Screen Actors Guild wrote in their statement: "We want to take a moment to acknowledge the devastating fires affecting Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted––the residents, first responders, and all those working tirelessly to protect the community. Please consider donating to a charity of your choice to help those in need."
What's Next
The SAG Awards ceremony, hosted by Kristen Bell, will take place at the Shrine Auditorium on February 23. Jane Fonda will be honored with the guild's Life Achievement Award during the event. A full list of nominations can be viewed here.
As for California, the wildfires show no immediate signs of abating. Officials are urging residents to remain vigilant, conserve water, and prepare for possible evacuations.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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