THE 2020 SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS PREDICTIONS

They call the SAG cast and ensemble awards the 'equivalents' of best picture or best series. However, the results can be dramatically different, because here they consider the actors' performances alone. A comparison between recent years’ winners in these categories and the ‘equivalents’ at the Oscars, Golden Globes or Emmys will make that quite evident. So don’t be surprised if Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood takes home the ‘equivalent’ here, even if it doesn't come close to a best picture Oscar. 

Take a look at all predictions, across television and motion pictures for this Sunday’s 26th Screen Actors Guild Awards.

TELEVISION

Outstanding Performance By An Ensemble In A Drama Series

BIG LITTLE LIES—could win

THE CROWN—most likely

GAME OF THRONES

THE HANDMAID’S TALE

STRANGER THINGS

This one is difficult to predict. They’ve never given it to GAME OF THRONES, so the GOT cast can win for their swansong. BIG LITTLE LIES is a strong contender. However, I think this will go to the cast of THE CROWN.

Outstanding Performance By A Female Actor In A Drama Series

Jennifer Aniston, THE MORNING SHOW—could win

Helena Bonham Carter, THE CROWN

Olivia Colman, THE CROWN—most likely

Jodie Comer, KILLING EVE

Elisabeth Moss, THE HANDMAID’S TALE

The SAGs have awarded THE CROWN and KILLING EVE before in this category, though for different actresses. I believe they'll stick with THE CROWN this year. I think it'll be Olivia Colman. Alternatively, it could go to Jennifer Aniston, or Jodie Comer.  

Outstanding Performance By A Male Actor In A Drama Series

Sterling K. Brown, THIS IS US—could win

Steve Carell, THE MORNING SHOW—most likely

Billy Crudup, THE MORNING SHOW

Peter Dinklage, GAME OF THRONES

David Harbour, STRANGER THINGS

Steve Carell is a strong contender here. I suspect he’ll win. If not, the SAGs might make up for their lack of love for THIS IS US this year, by awarding Sterling K. Brown, who hasn’t won in this category before.

Outstanding Performance By An Ensemble In A Comedy Series

BARRY

FLEABAG—most likely

THE KOMINSKY METHOD

THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL

SCHITT’S CREEK—could win

It’s FLEABAG’s year. Enough said.

Outstanding Performance By A Female Actor In A Comedy Series

Christina Applegate, DEAD TO ME

Alex Borstein, THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL

Rachel Brosnahan, THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL

Catherine O’Hara, SCHITT’S CREEK

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, FLEABAG—most likely, will win

Phoebe Waller-Bridge is winning this one. It’s FLEABAG’s year.

Outstanding Performance By A Male Actor In A Comedy Series

Alan Arkin, THE KOMINSKY METHOD

Michael Douglas, THE KOMINSKY METHOD

Bill Hader, BARRY—could win

Andrew Scott, FLEABAG—most likely

Tony Shaloub, THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL

The SAGs don’t shy away from awarding supporting performances in a category that also includes lead roles. So it would be safe to predict Andrew Scott as the winner here, since it’s FLEABAG’s year. Alternatively, Bill Hader could win.

Outstanding Performance By A Female Actor In A Television Movie Or Limited Series

Patricia Arquette, THE ACT—could win

Toni Collette, UNVELIEVABLE

Joey King, THE ACT

Emily Watson, CHERNOBYL

Michelle Williams, FOSSE/VERDON—most likely

Michelle Williams is most likely to win. But considering Patricia Arquette’s Golden Globe win, it could be hers.

Outstanding Performance By A Male Actor In A Television Movie Or Limited Series

Mahershala Ali, TRUE DETECTIVE

Russell Crowe, THE LOUDEST VOICE—could win

Jared Harris, CHERNOBYL

Jharrel Jerome, WHEN THEY SEE US—most likely

Sam Rockwell, FOSSE/VERDON

After Russell Crowe’s Golden Globe win, this one is hard to predict. However, I think Jharrel Jerome will win here. Alternatively, Jared Harris or Crowe could take it home.


MOTION PICTURES

Outstanding Performance By A Cast In A Motion Picture

Bombshell

The Irishman—could win

Jojo Rabbit

Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood—most likely

Parasite

This is where the SAG most understandably goes a direction quite different than that of the Golden Globes or eventually the Oscars. Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood will most likely lose out at the Oscars, but the enormous cast and the picture’s popularity will push it forward for the SAG. After Black Panther’s win last year, this far more deserving (potential) win should be far from surprising.

Outstanding Performance By A Female Actor In A Leading Role

Cynthia Erivo, Harriet

Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story

Lupita Nyong'o, Us

Charlize Theron, Bombshell—could win

Renée Zellweger, Judy—most likely

The SAG has often gone in a different direction with lead actress even, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Charlize Theron or even Scarlett Johansson take this home, instead of awards season favorite, Zellweger.

Outstanding Performance By A Male Actor In A Leading Role

Christian Bale, Ford v Ferrari

Leonardo DiCaprio, Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood

Adam Driver, Marriage Story

Taron Egerton, Rocketman

Joaquin Phoenix, Joker—most likely, will win

I think this is the most predictable category across all major awards this awards season. I don’t think there’s any doubt that Joaquin Phoenix will win here.

Outstanding Performance By A Female Actor In A Supporting Role

Laura Dern, Marriage Story—most likely

Scarlett Johansson, Jojo Rabbit

Nicole Kidman, Bombshell

Jennifer Lopez, Hustlers—could win

Margot Robbie, Bombshell

Again, the SAG has been known to appreciate lighter fare more than the other awards do, especially since they don’t have separate comedy categories. So if Jennifer Lopez wins, it won’t be a shock. Though Laura Dern is still a favorite.

Outstanding Performance By A Male Actor In A Supporting Role

Jamie Foxx, Just Mercy

Tom Hanks, A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood

Al Pacino, The Irishman—could win

Joe Pesci, The Irishman

Brad Pitt, Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood—most likely

Brad Pitt is the favorite in this category for sure. However, if the SAGs decide to go all SAG about this, they could give it to Al Pacino.