Screen Actors Guild Nominations: TV
Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 12:31PM
Abe Friedtanzer in Bridgerton, SAG, TV, precursor awards

By Abe Friedtanzer

The TV picks from SAG might actually be a bit more interesting than the Golden Globe list from yesterday, though it feels like they’re actually both honoring a lot of the same shows, which is not so typical. A few programs that were completely omitted by the Globes did score, while, for instance, What We Do in the Shadows was completely shut out again. Let’s dive in to the eight categories, after the jump…

 

Best Male Actor in a Drama Series

Here we got what was probably the biggest surprise of the day, and just when I and many others surely thought that Matthew Rhys was going to be announced from the entirely absent Perry Mason. I didn’t get into the Bridgerton craze but I know many did, and it’s a particularly strange pick for SAG given their tendency to go with established fare rather than freshman series (it’s one of only two first-year dramas on the list this time). The rest is expected, welcoming the Globe-snubbed Brown and Odenkirk back along with Bateman, who won this award last time he was eligible. O’Connor is the other new face, nominated for the first time on his own after winning as part of his ensemble last year. Unlike most of the acting categories, this includes only leading men.

 

Best Female Actor in a Drama Series

This category was easy to predict even if it is baffling to see just two shows nominated. Only one show in the past has earned three bids in a single year, and that was the first season of The Sopranos way back in 1999. Anderson is actually a two-time winner in this category for The X-Files. Garner and Linney return after their show took 2019 off, booting the one eligible nominee from last year who didn’t make the cut, Jodie Comer. It’s hard to imagine picking one of these actresses with so much internal competition.

 

Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series

 This is another category I was able to predict correctly. None of last year’s nominees were eligible, and Youssef and both Levys likely earned plenty of votes then that made them obvious inclusions this year. I’m ecstatic about Hoult, who was so fantastic in his show and is making up for its very minimal Emmy showing now. Sudeikis is also a great choice, and I’m happy to see that people love that show as much as I do. Ted Danson was a nominee many expected to see, but his show’s four final episodes apparently weren’t enough to compel voters to include him for the first time. Given that Don Cheadle only ever earned one SAG nod for House of Lies, him not being here for Black Monday isn’t a shock, especially since that was a moderately surprising Globe pick.

 

Best Female Actor in a Comedy Series

Two years after Grace and Frankie and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel took up four out of five of these slots, this category is back to honoring just three shows. I’m so happy for Cardellini that it almost takes the sting away from the unfortunate omission of Elle Fanning, who is honored as part of her cast. Applegate hung on here as part of her show’s three nominations, a big recovery from yesterday’s Globes shutouts for the Netflix dark comedy. Cuoco is a welcome addition, and Murphy joins her previously nominated costar O’Hara. Nominations announcer Lily Collins and Jane Levy are the two lead Globe choices who aren’t here.

 

Best Male Actor in a TV Movie or Limited Series

This category, the first announced, is a bit of a shock. While I still don’t get the many different classifications of Hamilton, there’s something interesting about Diggs, one of this morning’s presenters, being nominated here, while Lin-Manuel Miranda scored a Golden Globe film nomination over the man who beat him at the Tony Awards, Leslie Odom Jr. Everyone seems to be picking out a different MVP based on how they saw it. What excites me much more here is the completely startling inclusion of supporting player Bill Camp for an absolutely terrific turn in one of the year’s best limited series. I didn’t see that coming at all, and I think it’s a wonderful choice. It hasn’t been a good week for Paul Mescal or Hugh Jackman, while Grant, Hawke, and Ruffalo continue to rack up accolades.

Best Female Actor in a TV Movie or Limited Series 

Those disappointed about Coel’s series being shut out yesterday will surely be celebrating her inclusion here. Washington is also in, which is great – I think I liked that series more than most. Those three join a trio of Globe nominees. It’s worth noting that Shira Haas wasn’t eligible, while Daisy Edgar-Jones did miss out. In a year where so many supporting players were honored across the SAG TV categories, it’s peculiar that Uzo Aduba didn’t make the cut for Mrs. America after her two previous wins with this group.

 

Best Ensemble in a Drama Series

Everyone knows that there are individual actors on Lovecraft Country, right? It’s odd for the same show to be cited for the top award with both the Globes and SAG and not have any of its performers highlighted by either. At least it’s here, joining the less expected Bridgerton to represent freshmen series. Better Call Saul and Ozark are both back after a year off the air, along with last year’s winner, The Crown. I thought past winner This Is Us would return, but it’s relegated to a bid for Sterling K. Brown. No Perry Mason, The Mandalorian, or Ratched either.

 

Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series 

I really thought that What We Do in the Shadows was going to make the cut here. I can’t blame SAG voters this time for skipping The Good Place since four episodes really isn’t quite enough to sample. I will take a moment to celebrate the inclusion of The Flight Attendant. I doubt that some of its best players, like Zosia Mamet or Michelle Gomez, will ever get individual nominations for their work, so I’m thrilled about this prize. The same goes for The Great and Ted Lasso, which are both bursting with talent. Dead to Me is a nice choice too, though I wish that James Marsden would win something for his great season two performance. Schitt’s Creek is the only returning nominee, and I think it shouldn’t have much trouble winning this prize with Mrs. Maisel out of the way.

What are your favorite picks from this list?

Article originally appeared on The Film Experience (http://thefilmexperience.net/).
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