To actors, by
actors and for acting—tonight’s the night that begins with actors sharing anecdotes
from their journeys in the profession, as the community of actors come together
to recognize the best of their peers’ work over the last one year. Let’s take a
look at the nominations and take a swing at what might go down tonight…
Among the
film categories, it’s safe to say that Birdman
is winning ensemble cast. The film’s actors have collectively been nominated
for more awards than the actors of any other film this year. And it’s gems like
The Help that can win at this ‘best
picture equivalent’, even though they might not be a frontrunner for the big
prize at the Oscars or Globes.
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Patricia Arquette, Eddie Redmayne and JK Simmons |
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE
IN A DRAMA SERIES
BOARDWALK
EMPIRE
DOWNTON ABBEY
GAME OF
THRONES
HOMELAND
HOUSE OF
CARDS
The SAG-AFTRA
love BOARDWALK EMPIRE, having given its cast Actors for best ensemble twice
before. So even though the show hasn’t won for the last two years, this is the
last year it’s getting nominated, so I think they will walk away with it this
year; like BREAKING BAD did last year. A pleasant surprise would be to see
DOWNTON ABBEY, 2013’s winners, winning this year again.
THE BIG BANG
THEORY
BROOKLYN
NINE-NINE
MODERN FAMILY
ORANGE IS THE
NEW BLACK
VEEP
This one’s a
no-brainer. The cast of MODERN FAMILY have won at this category for four years,
and I don’t see that changing. The SAG-AFTRA definitely recognize consistently
good performances more than the HFPA even. An upset could be ORANGE IS THE NEW
BLACK, but I doubt they’ll win.
Steve Buscemi,
BOARDWALK EMPIRE
Peter
Dinklage, GAME OF THRONES
Woody
Harrelson, TRUE DETECTIVE
Matthew
McConaughey, TRUE DETECTIVE
Kevin Spacey,
HOUSE OF CARDS
Matthew
McConaughey’s been a frontrunner for every award show since the first season of
TRUE DETECTIVE. However, he lost out at the Emmys and the Golden Globes, so for
the SAGs, I wouldn’t assume that he’ll win. He does stand a strong chance, but
I’m going to go with Steve Buscemi on this one.
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE
ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Claire Danes,
HOMELAND
Viola Davis,
HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER
Julianna
Margulies, THE GOOD WIFE
Tatiana
Maslany, ORPHAN BLACK
Maggie Smith,
DOWNTON ABBEY
Robin Wright,
HOUSE OF CARDS
Margulies has
won twice already, Danes has won once, so has Maggie Smith. It could be any of
these three this year, but I suspect it’s going to be Maggie Smith. Julianna
Margulies would be more deserving, but I doubt the SAG-AFTRA will go back to
her. Robin Wright could be a surprise winner.
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE
ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Ty Burrell, MODERN
FAMILY
Louis C.K., LOUIE
William H.
Macy, SHAMELESS
Jim Parsons, THE
BIG BANG THEORY
Eric
Stonestreet, MODERN FAMILY
Ty Burrell
could be a repeat recipient, after winning last year (Alec Baldwin won for four
consecutive years before that, for 30 ROCK). So I think I’m going to go with
Burrell. The pleasant surprise here would be Jim Parsons.
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE
ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Uzo Aduba, ORANGE
IS THE NEW BLACK
Julie Bowen, MODERN
FAMILY
Edie Falco, NURSE
JACKIE
Julia
Louis-Dreyfus, VEEP
Amy Poehler, PARKS
AND RECREATION
Amy Poehler
should get her due, but I think the SAG-AFTRA will latch on further to last
year’s winner, the awards-favorite Julia Louis-Dreyfus, by giving the Actor to
her again this time.
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE
ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR MINISERIES
Adrien Brody,
HOUDINI
Mark Ruffalo,
THE NORMAL HEART
Benedict
Cumberbatch, SHERLOCK
Richard
Jenkins, OLIVE KITTERIDGE
Billy Bob
Thornton, FARGO
This is quite
an unpredictable category. I think it’ll be between Benedict Cumberbatch and
Billy Bob Thornton. I’m putting my money on Cumberbatch.
Ellen Burstyn,
FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC
Maggie
Gyllenhaal, THE HONORABLE WOMAN
Frances McDormand,
OLIVE KITTERIDGE
Julia Roberts,
THE NORMAL HEART
Cicely Tyson,
THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL
I want Julia
Roberts to win this one, but I think it’ll be Golden Globe winner Maggie
Gyllenhaal.
OUTSTANDING ACTION PERFORMANCE BY A
STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A COMEDY OR DRAMA SERIES
24: LIVE
ANOTHER DAY
BOARDWALK
EMPIRE
GAME OF
THRONES
HOMELAND
SONS OF
ANARCHY
THE WALKING
DEAD
GAME OF
THRONES will win its fourth Actor for its stunt ensemble.
Who are your favorite actors for
Actors at the SAGs this year?