SAG AWARDS 2017 – PREDICTIONS

Will DOWNTON ABBEY win for its swan song, or can THE CROWN shake things up? The SAG Awards are a strange mix of frustratingly predictable repeat winners, as well as out-and-out pleasant surprises. Here are some predictions for Sunday night.

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Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

THE CROWN
DOWNTON ABBEY
GAME OF THRONES
STRANGER THINGS
WESTWORLD

Three strong contenders have joined this list this year to potentially mix things up—WESTWORLD, STRANGER THINGS and THE CROWN. They’ve been three of the most talked about shows in the last year. However, being the most talked about show hasn’t helped GAME OF THRONES in this category, so I suspect the SAG-AFTRA will stick to DOWNTON ABBEY. THE CROWN has strong chances of winning, but I think it will be DOWNTON, especially since this is its last year.

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
THE BIG BANG THEORY
BLACKISH
MODERN FAMILY
ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK
VEEP

New entrants—the cast of BLACKISH—could mix things up. However, I think it will be the cast of ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, continuing their winning streak, having won in this category for the last two years.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
Sterling K. Brown, THIS IS US
Peter Dinklage, GAME OF THRONES
John Lithgow, THE CROWN
Rami Malek, MR. ROBOT
Kevin Spacey, HOUSE OF CARDS

Kevin Spacey’s winning streak could continue, like Alec Baldwin’s did for 30 ROCK in comedy. However, in this category, the last six years have given us wins for three different roles, in two consecutive years each. If that continues, it’s time for a new role to win this one. As such, I think it’s between Spacey and John Lithgow. An upset could be Rami Malek, but I think Lithgow will win this year.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Millie Bobby Brown, STRANGER THINGS 
Claire Foy, THE CROWN 
Thandie Newton, WESTWORLD 
Winona Ryder, STRANGER THINGS 
Robin Wright, HOUSE OF CARDS

None of the recent winners in this category are nominated this time. The only repeat nominee is in fact Robin Wright. However, I don’t think she’ll win. Before the Globes, I would’ve said that Winona Ryder would win, but Claire Foy’s win at the Globes mixes things up a bit. Considering the SAG-AFTRA’s appreciation for British shows and performers, I think this one will also go to Foy for THE CROWN.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson, BLACKISH
Tituss Burgess, UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT 
Ty Burrell, MODERN FAMILY
William H. Macy, SHAMELESS
Jeffrey Tambor, TRANSPARENT

The last three Actors for this category have gone to different people, all of whom are nominated here. However, considering the nature of last year’s winner—Jeffrey Tambor—I think we’re looking at multiple wins for him. Alec Baldwin did win seven consecutive years for 30 ROCK. Could Tambor be the new Baldwin?

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Uzo Aduba, ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK 
Jane Fonda, GRACE AND FRANKIE
Ellie Kemper, UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, VEEP
Lily Tomlin, GRACE AND FRANKIE

I wouldn’t be surprised if Uzo Aduba wins this for the third year in a row. The SAG-AFTRA are known to repeat a lot of recipients. Julia Louis-Dreyfus could reclaim this. Lily Tomlin won’t win, since she’s receiving the lifetime achievement Actor anyway. I hope Jane Fonda wins. This is her first nomination for GRACE AND FRANKIE. However, I think it’ll be Aduba.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries
Riz Ahmed, THE NIGHT OF
Sterling K. Brown, THE PEOPLE VS. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY
Bryan Cranston, ALL THE WAY
John Turturro, THE NIGHT OF
Courtney B. Vance, THE PEOPLE VS. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY

He missed out at the Globes, but Courtney B. Vance was the stronger contender at the Emmys, even though both he and Sterling K. Brown won Emmys, since they were in different categories there. It’s THE PEOPLE V. O.J.’s year, so if it’s not Vance, it will be Brown.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries
Bryce Dallas Howard, BLACK MIRROR
Felicity Huffman, AMERICAN CRIME
Audra McDonald, LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL
Sarah Paulson, THE PEOPLE VS. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY
Kerry Washington, CONFIRMATION

Come on! It’s Sarah Paulson’s year. She’s winning this for sure.

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble 

GAME OF THRONES
DAREDEVIL
LUKE CAGE
THE WALKING DEAD
WESTWORLD

GAME OF THRONES has won this for five consecutive years. I don't see that streak ending this year.

MOTION PICTURES

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Captain Fantastic
Fences
Hidden Figures
Manchester by the Sea
Moonlight

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea 
Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge
Ryan Gosling, La La Land
Viggo Mortensen, Captain Fantastic
Denzel Washington, Fences

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Amy Adams, Arrival
Emily Blunt, The Girl on the Train
Natalie Portman, Jackie 
Emma Stone, La La Land
Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Mahershala Ali, Moonlight
Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water
Hugh Grant, Florence Foster Jenkins
Lucas Hedges, Manchester by the Sea
Dev Patel, Lion

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Viola Davis, Fences
Naomie Harris, Moonlight
Nicole Kidman, Lion
Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures
Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble 

Captain America: Civil War
Doctor Strange
Hacksaw Ridge
Jason Bourne
Nocturnal Animals