The 31st SAG Awards: Full List of TV Nominees

Javier Bardem, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”

Bardem adds to his roster of effortlessly chilling performances on this Netflix true crime series from Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan. He plays music executive Jose Menendez, the father of the infamous Menendez brothers (played by Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez) who were convicted of murdering their parents in 1989. Bardem shows viewers both sides of his character: Yes, Jose is a hardworking man who’s achieved the American dream, but he’s also an abusive dad who’s subjected his sons to years of sexual and emotional abuse. The Oscar winner infuses his performance with an unrelenting rage that’s scary enough to give you nightmares. —Kerensa Cadenas

Colin Farrell, “The Penguin”

Though he only appeared in a handful of scenes as Oz Cobb, aka the Penguin, in Matt Reeves’ 2022 film “The Batman,” Farrell left a lasting impression. This year, the Oscar nominee got the chance to take center stage on Lauren LeFranc’s HBO spinoff. Even though he’s nearly unrecognizable under layers of heavy prosthetics, Farrell’s hallmark charm shines through, as does his ability to dig into the roots of his character’s bitterness. The actor does his best work opposite Cristin Milioti as crime boss Sofia Falcone, the pair of outcasts switching from allies to enemies—and back again—in a battle for Gotham City supremacy. Their performances make “The Penguin” rise above your typical supervillain origin story, weaving a tale that’s as much about mutual respect as it is about power.—Emma Fraser

Richard Gadd, “Baby Reindeer”

Gadd scored a word-of-mouth hit for Netflix with “Baby Reindeer,” the miniseries he adapted from his semi-autobiographical one-man show about stalking and sexual assault. He threads a difficult needle as struggling comedian Donny Dunn; considering the character is an artful interpretation of his own traumatic experiences, it’s hard to fathom that he even pulls it off. It’s a guttingly vulnerable, nuanced performance from a singular talent who knows how to balance dark comedy with serious drama. —Eric Webb

Kevin Kline, “Disclaimer”

Has anyone played vindictive as well as Kline does here? The Oscar winner is deliciously nasty on this Apple TV+ drama, which marks Alfonso Cuarón’s first foray into TV storytelling. He plays Stephen Brigstocke, a former private school teacher hellbent on ruining the life of the woman (Cate Blanchett) who had a dalliance with his late son (Louis Partridge) by publishing his wife’s novel based on the affair after her death. Beady-eyed and fueled by grief, he plots and prods with incredible flourish. And when a plot twist reveals that everything isn’t as it seems, Kline brilliantly strips Stephen into a husk of a man.—Kerensa Cadenas

Andrew Scott, “Ripley”

You’d think it would be impossible to do a new interpretation of a role played by actors as varied as Alain Delon, Matt Damon, Barry Pepper, and John Malkovich. So it’s the ultimate wonder of Scott’s performance on Steven Zaillian’s dreamlike, black-and-white adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley” that he manages the feat. The Emmy nominee’s characterization of 1950s con man Tom Ripley is less the case of a garden-variety psychopath than a man whose ennui has turned to bloodlust. The chameleonic Scott exudes charisma, making “Ripley” thrilling to watch even if you already know the story beats. —Jason Clark

Cate Blanchett, "Disclaimer" 

This Academy Award winner’s leading turn on filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón’s first foray into TV is another stellar performance to add to her stacked résumé. On the Apple TV+ mystery, she plays Catherine Ravenscroft, a celebrated journalist who has it all; but her life begins to unravel following the release of a novel about an encounter she had with a young man (Louis Partridge) 20 years prior. Blanchett plays her character with a mix of anxiety and dread as the secret she’s kept hidden for so long finally comes to light. The actor really shines when we learn the truth and Catherine is finally able to make the narrative her own. —Kerensa Cadenas

Jodie Foster, "True Detective: Night Country" 

This screen legend lends her talents to prestige television on Issa López’s latest iteration of HBO’s long-running anthology series. Chief Liz Danvers is grizzled and world-weary, having seen it all over the course of her long career. But she still knows how to pay attention to the details, whether she’s uncovering a clue hidden in the background of an old photo or breaking down her fantasy football roster. Foster mines dark humor from this horror-tinged crime thriller through dry sarcasm, even as Danvers grapples with her own stubbornness. The actor plays brilliantly off Kali Reis as Danvers’ equally determined, closed-off partner, Evangeline Navarro. —Kai Lovelace

Lily Gladstone, "Under the Bridge" 

Naturalism is this Oscar nominee’s superpower; so it’s no surprise that their performance on Quinn Shephard’s true crime miniseries feels devastatingly real. Gladstone stars as Cam Bentland, an idealistic cop investigating the 1997 murder of Canadian teen Reena Virk (Vritika Gupta). As Cam gets increasingly wrapped up in the case, Gladstone makes their character’s toughness look like a reflex built up over the course of an exhausting lifetime. The actor viscerally manifests Cam’s pent-up frustration, anguish, and compassion as an Indigenous person trying to make it in an often cruel world. —Eric Webb

Jessica Gunning, "Baby Reindeer" 

The breakout actor of this Netflix drama makes portraying criminal obsession look almost too easy. Gunning brings immense skill to her turn as Martha Scott, a character inspired by creator-star Richard Gadd’s real-life experiences with a stalker. As Martha’s fixation with standup comedian Donny Dunn (Gadd) deepens, Gunning evades land mines left and right, holding pity and menace in perfect tension. Her actions plunge Donny’s life into a level of catastrophe only rivaled by the chaos raging inside her mind. Gunning smoothly shifts between Martha’s moods—charismatic, pathetic, sadistic, near-catatonic—with painstaking honesty. —Eric Webb

Cristin Milioti, "The Penguin" 

Milioti is mesmerizing from the moment she first appears on Lauren LeFranc’s Max spinoff of 2022’s “The Batman.” She plays Sofia Falcone, the daughter of a recently deceased mob boss. Fresh from a stint at Gotham City’s notorious Arkham Asylum, she’s a frayed nerve whose unpredictability is both terrifying and tragic. A childhood loss and the trauma of spending a decade behind bars add fuel to Sofia’s fire as she tries to regain her agency. On the standout fourth episode, which juxtaposes her life before and after Arkham, Milioti’s performance is a tour de force. —Emma Fraser

Kathy Bates, "The Great Lillian Hall" 

Tadanobu Asano, “Shōgun”

Asano stands out amid a large, dynamic cast as Kashigi Yabushige, a local leader who’s loyal to the powerful Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) on Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks’ sprawling historical epic. Asano’s garrulous, sly approach to the role belies the fact that Yabushige is just as much of a schemer as the rest of the power players in 17th century Japan, devising clever tactics to further his master’s needs. Asano masterfully conveys his character’s respect for Englishman John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), a cunning strategist who shares his love of risk. —Kai Lovelace

Gary Oldman, “Slow Horses”

Has a character as aggressively unlikable as Jackson Lamb (Oldman) ever been such an instant fan favorite? The head of Slough House, a division of bottom-of-the-barrel MI5 agents, is rude, abusive, and generally repulsive. But over the show’s four seasons, we come to realize that his gross behavior is a misdirection that conceals the shrewd operator beneath. Oldman clearly relishes the chance to sink his comedy chops into Jackson’s over-the-top vulgarity. The Oscar winner is no stranger to the gritty crime genre with roles in “The Dark Knight” and “Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy”; but his turn on “Slow Horses” may be the high point of his legendary career. —Kai Lovelace

Hiroyuki Sanada, “Shōgun”

Lord Yoshii Toranaga is a respected and feared leader, but he also occupies a fragile position in the politically fractured landscape of Edo-era Japan. The actor’s restrained turn makes Toranaga the strong center of this FX on Hulu saga, based on James Clavell’s beloved 1975 novel of the same name. Sanada, who already netted an Emmy for the role, projects calm and authority even as Toranaga grapples with uncertainty over his tenuous bond with Blackthorne (Jarvis). His experiences eventually lead him to question and resent the very power structure he represents. —Kai Lovelace

Jeff Bridges, "The Old Man" 

Hulu’s thrilling spy drama returns with a powerhouse central performance from Jeff Bridges as Dan Chase, an ex-CIA operative reluctantly drawn back into his old life. The screen veteran balances his late-career persona as a gruff enforcer and his particular, zen-like charm to craft an endearing hero with underlying grit, a sense of style, and a hint of sadness. This season sees Chase teaming up with John Lithgow’s FBI boss Harold Harper to mount a rescue mission, allowing the actor’s laconic delivery to contrast the nervous energy of his equally committed co-star. —Kai Lovelace

Eddie Redmayne, "Day of the Jackal" 

Utilizing his sinewy physicality and cold stare to maximum effect, the titular assassin of Peacock’s reimagining of the 1973 thriller becomes a fascinating character study via Redmayne’s chameleon-like performance. As a master of disguise, top-notch prosthetics and alterations of speech patterns and mannerisms convince the audience of this villain’s elusive nature, warmly greeting his unsuspecting wife one moment and committing cold-blooded killings the next. Still, the calm professionalism and regret he conveys when a minor road accident creates messy loose ends allows the audience to sympathize with him and recognize a worthy opponent to Lashana Lynch’s MI6 agent Bianca Pullman. —Kai Lovelace 

Keri Russell, "The Diplomat" 

As she proved on “The Americans,” Russell is well-suited to playing characters tasked with protecting covert information. On the second season of this Netflix political thriller from Debora Cahn, career diplomat Kate Wyler has a lot on her plate: getting to the bottom of a deadly false-flag operation, managing a shaken staff reeling from a recent tragedy, and tending to a marriage that’s hanging by a thread. Russell (who received a SAG nomination for Season 1) shines whether she’s performing Kate’s exasperation or her levelheadedness, via wordless reactions or pointed asides. She also skillfully reveals her character’s shortcomings, which often stem from a blunt approach that can feel less than diplomatic. —Emma Fraser

Anna Sawai, “Shōgun”

Sawai’s heart-rending performance as Lady Mariko on Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks’ historical epic has already earned her an Emmy. The character’s tragic past informs her present as an adviser and translator who bridges the gap between Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) and Englishman John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis). As she works behind the scenes to protect Japan from hostile forces, Mariko projects both ethereal poise and grounded determination. Whether she’s fielding tense negotiations, standing up to enemy troops, or displaying tenderness toward Blackthorne, Sawai makes Mariko come alive as a multifaceted, formidable woman. —Kai Lovelace

Nicola Coughlan, "Bridgerton"

Over two seasons, Coughlan has perfected playing wallflower-with-a-secret Penelope Featherington, who leads a double life as the withering Lady Whistledown, the self-assured author of the scathing gossip sheet. In Season 3, Penelope takes center stage in the Shondaland Regency romance, nervously joining the crowded field to find a husband. Her arc, which sees a memorable, vulnerable first kiss evolve into confident passion, is both steamy and thrilling. Additionally, the conflict between continuing as Lady W and settling down as a wife gives Coughlan ample opportunity to show comedic and dramatic range while never losing sight of Penelope’s desire.—Emma Fraser    

Kathy Bates, "Matlock" 

Nothing is as it seems on this CBS legal procedural, allowing Bates to toggle between folksy and shrewd as a septuagenarian returning to the fast-paced world of litigation. Creator Jennie Snyder Urman offers a meta-spin on the ‘80s series that Bates’ Madeline “Matty” Matlock takes her name from when re-entering the workforce with an ulterior motive at play. Matty wears different masks, but opposite husband Edwin (Sam Anderson), her grief, anxiety, and guilt come to the surface. The two-time SAG winner hones in on Matty’s spirited desire to find justice without making her infallible, and it is navigating these complicated layers where Bates excels. —Emma Fraser 

Allison Janney, "The Diplomat"

Janney doesn’t arrive in “The Diplomat” until the penultimate episode of Debora Cahn’s Netflix political thriller, but she immediately sends shockwaves through the series as Vice President Grace Penn. Emmy and SAG-award-winning Janney has already put an indelible stamp on the TV landscape; however, reuniting with “West Wing” writer Cahn is not a case of hitting the same C.J. Cregg character notes. Instead, Janney’s Grace plays mentor and confidante before going head-to-head with Keri Russell’s ambassador Kate Wyler. Each interaction is electric, with Janney also offering a masterclass in political relations-loaded dialogue, crackling wit, and a hint of contempt.—Emma Fraser

Adam Brody , “Nobody Wants This”

For those of us who have loved Brody since “The O.C.,” his performance on this Netflix rom-com from Erin Foster is a welcome return to form. He stars as Noah Roklov, a rabbi who’s by turns sweet, kind, and darkly funny. No wonder he immediately connects with sex-and-dating podcaster Joanne (Kristen Bell) when they meet by chance at a dinner party. Brody’s innate charm and comic timing only add to Noah’s dreamboat status; the actor matches Bell beat-for-beat when it comes to witty banter, drawing upon his résumé of playing hilariously neurotic characters. After Noah meets Joanne’s family and gives her the dreaded “ick,” she wonders if she’s really attracted to him anymore. Instead of letting her run away from what they are beginning to build, he tells her simply and soulfully, “I can handle you.” It’s the birth of a new ideal for romance fans everywhere.
—Kerensa Cadenas

Ted Danson, “A Man on the Inside”

It’s hard to find a sitcom career better than Danson’s; he’s been headlining critical and commercial hits for more than 40 years, including “Cheers,” “Becker,” and “The Good Place.” This year, the two-time Emmy winner reunited with the creator of the latter, Michael Schur, for his new Netflix comedy “A Man on the Inside.” Danson stars as Charles Nieuwendyk, a widower and retired college professor whose search for a new hobby leads him to team up with a private investigator to go undercover in a retirement community. The ladies’ man charm the actor brought to Sam Malone has evolved into a goofy, grandfatherly presence—and it somehow works just as well. Charles may feel out of his depth when it comes to PI work, but Danson is right at home.—Derek Lawrence

Harrison Ford, “Shrinking”

It would be easy for Ford to portray therapist Paul Rhoades as merely prickly and stubborn, drawing on his long history of playing cranky men. But this screen veteran mines real depth on this Apple TV+ dramedy from Brett Goldstein, Bill Lawrence, and Jason Segel. As Paul comes to terms with a Parkinson’s diagnosis, he struggles to let his love interest, neurologist Julie Baram (Wendie Malick), into his well-guarded heart. Vulnerability looks good on Ford, especially since charm and wit are never far behind. When it comes to refereeing his coworkers, the Academy Award nominee’s authoritative voice is just the right prescription. —Emma Fraser

Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building”

This master of mania reliably shines in this whodunit’s most gloriously cartoonish moments. On Season 4, that meant frolicking with Zach Galifianakis in a montage set to the “Perfect Strangers” theme song and later carrying on a one-sided conversation with his iPad. But Short also deserves praise for showing off Oliver Putnam’s soft heart, especially in his relationship with his girlfriend, Loretta Durkin (Meryl Streep). Oliver’s arc this season is defined by insecurity, from his need for approval from Galifianakis (playing a pompous version of himself) to his paranoia that Loretta will leave him. Whether he’s delivering punchlines, sharing loving gazes, or spiraling into doubt, Short always keeps us watching. —Eric Webb

Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear”

 On Season 3, this two-time SAG winner turns up the heat as stressed-out chef Carmy Berzatto, who’s never seemed more stuck.Running clenched fingers through his messy curls, sleepy blue eyes staring into the middle distance, mouth hanging open and ready to unleash a curse: White plays Carmy as a man who’s physically and psychologically incapable of setting aside his obsessive perfectionism. Critics tend to buzz about the character’s outbursts, but White’s standout moment this season comes in a quiet, pitiful confrontation with his abusive former boss (Joel McHale). The actor makes this culinary big-timer feel truly small. —Eric Webb

Kristen Bell, "Nobody Wants This" 

Erin Foster’s Netflix rom-com knows exactly what to do with Bell’s highly specific brand of charm. Her Joanne, the host of a podcast about sex and dating, is a delightful ball of contradictions; she’s loud, messy, and carefree, but she also longs to find love—and accept herself for who she is. When she meets a rabbi named Noah (Adam Brody) at a dinner party, the two seemingly couldn’t be more different; but they embark on a relationship all the same. Aside from her always-masterful comic timing, Bell shines when Joanne lets Noah really get to understand her as they figure out how to make their unlikely relationship work. —Kerensa Cadenas

Quinta Brunson, "Abbott Elementary" 

Over the years, viewers have watched the creator and star of “Abbott Elementary” channel the cheerful energy of second grade teacher Janine Teagues. An idealist to the core, Janine has always been an unstoppable force in the face of immovable objects, be it a cynical colleague or public school bureaucracy. This season, however, Brunson digs into her character’s avoidant side. A long-awaited romance with fellow teacher Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams) created a prime opportunity to explore Janine’s deep-seated insecurities. For all her growth, she has trouble trusting a good thing, leading her to hide their relationship from the rest of the school, which turns out to be a comically futile gesture. Brunson plays her character like an eager beaver who doesn’t realize she’s building a dam around herself. —Eric Webb

Liza Colón-Zayas, "The Bear" 

Over the course of Christopher Storer’s kitchen dramedy, Colón-Zayas has turned what began as a tertiary character into a fan favorite. She brings equal parts sugar and salt to Tina Marrero as the character struggles with her new role as sous-chef at the Bear. The Emmy-winning actor got her moment in the sun on the sixth episode of Season 3, “Napkins,” which digs into Tina’s past and the humiliating job search that first brought her to the Original Beef. The actor gradually pecks at Tina’s tough outer shell via a soul-bearing monologue about work and purpose. On this stressful show, Colón-Zayas’ graceful portrayal of a deeply human character is a much-needed palate cleanser. —Eric Webb

Ayo Edebiri, "The Bear" 

The shouting, the steam, the secrets: Every stressor in the pressure cooker of FX on Hulu’s “The Bear” bubbles just beneath the surface of Chef Sydney Adamu. Viewers couldn’t ask for a better POV character, nor a better actor to portray her than Edebiri. On Season 3, Sydney deals with a high-stakes restaurant opening, staff infighting, jumbled order tickets, and doubts about her business partnership with the capricious Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White). Edebiri demonstrates that acting is indeed all about reacting, pairing a patient voice with anxious eyes. While the majority of the ensemble plays to extremes, this actor keeps her sauce at a perfect simmer. —Eric Webb

Jean Smart, "Hacks" 

Deborah Vance might be fictional, but “Hacks” star Smart so deeply embodies this comedy grand dame that you could swear you caught her standup act back in the day. Season 3 of the Max series sees Deborah fighting tooth and nail for a late-night hosting gig while reckoning with her past. Smart’s SAG-winning performance is by turns monstrous, compassionate, and hilarious as she grows even closer with her protégé, Ava (Einbinder); consider a midseason wilderness hike that further blurs the line between the personal and professional. But a stunning betrayal leads to a barn burner of a scene on the season finale. Deborah can’t stop fighting, even when her real opponent is the woman in the mirror. —Eric Webb

"Bridgerton" 

"The Day of the Jackal" 

"The Diplomat" 

"Shōgun" 

"Slow Horses" 

"Abbott Elementary" 

"The Bear" 

"Hacks" 

"Only Murders in the Building" 

"Shrinking" 

"The Boys" 

"Fallout" 

"House of the Dragon" 

"The Penguin" 

"Shogun"