Musical Adaptation “Wicked” Leads SAG Nominations as Major Contenders Emerge
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards unveiled their 2025 nominations Wednesday, with the film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Wicked securing the most nods, positioning itself as a frontrunner in this year’s awards season.
The highly anticipated musical earned five nominations, including Outstanding Performance by a Cast, as well as individual nods for lead actress Cynthia Erivo, supporting actor Jonathan Bailey, supporting actress Ariana Grande, and its stunt ensemble.
Meanwhile, biographical drama A Complete Unknown, centered on Bob Dylan, received four nominations. Surreal musical Emilia Perez and Cannes favorite Anora tied with three nominations each, joining Wicked and papal thriller Conclave in the race for the coveted cast ensemble prize.
Notable Snubs and Surprises
Despite its success at the Golden Globes, The Brutalist only managed a single nomination for lead actor Adrien Brody, while Angelina Jolie, praised for her portrayal of opera legend Maria Callas in Maria, was left out entirely.
Similarly, Nicole Kidman (Babygirl) and Fernanda Torres (I’m Still Here)—both Golden Globes winners—failed to secure nominations in the fiercely competitive lead actress category.
Acting Categories
The lead actress race features Erivo (Wicked), Demi Moore (The Substance), Pamela Anderson (The Last Showgirl), Karla Sofia Gascon (Emilia Perez), and Mikey Madison (Anora).
In the lead actor category, Brody competes with Ralph Fiennes (Conclave), Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), Daniel Craig (Queer), and Colman Domingo (Sing Sing).
SAG’s Influence on Awards Season
The SAG Awards, voted on by actors—the largest branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences—are a key bellwether for Oscar success. A SAG nod can boost an actor’s or film’s prospects for the Academy Awards, making these nominations a crucial milestone in the awards race.
Television Spotlight
On the TV side, Japanese historical drama Shogun, which dominated both the Emmys and Golden Globes, leads with five nominations.
Delays Amid Wildfires
Originally scheduled for a live announcement, the SAG nominations were revealed digitally due to devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The Critics Choice Awards, slated for Sunday, were also postponed due to the blazes.
Directors Guild Unveils Its Nominees
The Directors Guild of America (DGA) also announced its shortlist Wednesday, spotlighting Sean Baker (Anora), Jacques Audiard (Emilia Perez), Edward Berger (Conclave), Brady Corbet (The Brutalist), and James Mangold (A Complete Unknown). Notably, Jon Chu, director of Wicked, was absent from the list.
Ceremony Details
The SAG Awards will take place on February 23 in Los Angeles, streaming live on Netflix for the second consecutive year, while the DGA Awards are scheduled for February 10.
