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The Powerhouse Performances Leading the 32nd Annual Actor Awards Nominations This Year

One of the award season’s top conversations and the surprises, snubs, and outliers we're all discussing.

This awards season is seasoning!

From superwoman leading ladies to scene-stealing characters, the Actor Awards 2026 nominees are serving us bold and unforgettable performances in the women-led categories.

At the top of the conversation: Outstanding Performance By A Female Actor In A Leading Role.

This years’ five nominees include Emma Stone (“Bugonia”), Kate Hudson (“Song Sung Blue”), Jessie Buckley (“Hamnet”), Rose Byrne (“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”) and breakout star “One Battle After Another’s”, Chase Infiniti.

Also, among the leading ladies absent from this year's TV nominee list is one of comedy’s best teachers, Quinta Brunson (“Abbott Elementary”), lawyer turned detective, Kathy Bates (“Matlock”) and Netflix’s favorite podcaster, Kristen Bell (“Nobody Wants This”).

But all isn’t lost in the land of Oz for Cynthia's on-screen bestie Ariana Grande. Her bubbly-pink Glinda performance earned a nom for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role. She’s nominated alongside Marty Supreme’s Odessa A’zion, Weapons’ Amy Madigan, Sinners’ Wunmi Mosaku and the Actor Awards nominee newcomer, Teyanna Taylor. Taylor’s performance is part of the record-breaking seven nominations for the box office heavy hitter, “One Battle After Another”.

Of course, paired with every great leading lady are the acclaimed performances by Hollywood's top leading men, who are stirring up lots of pre-oscar buzz.

Fresh off his Critics Choice Award Best Actor win, Timothée Chalamet (“Marty Surpreme”) will go head to head with Leonardo Dicaprio (“One Battle After Another”), Ethan Hawke (“Blue Moon”), Michael B. Jordan’s dual role (“Sinners”) and his fellow Friday Nights alum, Jesse Plemons (“Bugonia”).

Rounding out the big categories, Miles Canton (“Sinners”), Jacob Elordi (“Frankenstein"), Paul Mescal ("Hamnet"), and "One Battle After Another” co-stars, Sean Penn and Benicio Del Toro.

All received nods for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role.

But what’s a legendary night without film icon Harrison Ford?

The fast whip and “Galaxy far far away” legend, known for his action-packed roles in the Indiana Jones and Star Wars franchises, will be presented with the Life Achievement Award.

Ford is the 61st actor to receive the SAG-AFTRA’S highest honor.

The Actor Awards will stream live Sunday, March 1 at 8 p.m. EST/ 5 p.m. PT on Netflix.

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Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

JESSIE BUCKLEY / Agnes - "HAMNET"

ROSE BYRNE / Linda - "IF I HAD LEGS I'D KICK YOU"

KATE HUDSON / Claire - "SONG SUNG BLUE"

CHASE INFINITI / Willa - "ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER"

EMMA STONE / Michelle - "BUGONIA"

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Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

ODESSA A’ZION / Rachel Mizler - "MARTY SUPREME"