ISLAMABAD: The 31st Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards took place on Sunday at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall, celebrating the best in film and television performances. Hosted by Kristen Bell, the star-studded ceremony saw major wins for Shōgun, Only Murders in the Building, and The Bear, with Kieran Culkin further solidifying his frontrunner status for the upcoming Academy Awards.
This year’s SAG Awards, streamed live on Netflix, featured a strong presence of period dramas and acclaimed comedies. In television, Shōgun dominated, winning Best Ensemble in a Drama Series and earning acting accolades for Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai. Based on James Clavell’s novel, the series is now a strong contender for the 2025 Emmy Awards.
Only Murders in the Building took home Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series, with Martin Short winning Best Actor in a Comedy Series. The Bear also made an impact, with Jeremy Allen White receiving a nomination, although he lost to Short. Jean Smart won Best Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in Hacks.
In film, Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for A Real Pain, reinforcing his status as a favourite for the 2025 Oscars. Adrien Brody was awarded Best Actor for The Brutalist, and Pamela Anderson won Best Actress for her performance in The Last Showgirl. Zoe Saldaña claimed Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez, which also won Best Cast Ensemble. The Fall Guy, a stunt-heavy action film, was recognized with Best Stunt Ensemble in Film.
Shōgun was the night’s biggest winner, with Hiroyuki Sanada taking Best Actor in a Drama Series, defeating Jeff Bridges and Gary Oldman. Anna Sawai won Best Actress in a Drama Series, further cementing the show’s dominance. The series also earned Best Stunt Ensemble in Television. Colin Farrell won Best Actor in a Miniseries for The Penguin, while Jessica Gunning won Best Actress in a Miniseries for Baby Reindeer.
In a moment of recognition, Jane Fonda was honoured with the SAG Life Achievement Award for her decades-long contributions to both cinema and activism.
With Shōgun dominating television and Kieran Culkin’s continued award streak, the results of the 31st SAG Awards set the stage for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys, marking 2025 as a year of powerful performances and storytelling.
