The actors are always full of surprises when it comes to the SAG Awards. Sometimes they are good (“Parasite” winning Ensemble last year), sometimes they perplexing (remember when Emily Blunt won for “A Quiet Place” just two years ago?) and often you wonder what they were thinking (remember that “Trumbo” ensemble nomination?). If there was anything consistent about the 2021 crop of SAG Awards nominees it’s that they are continuing those traditions in new and exciting ways.
READ MORE: “Minari” and “The Crown” rule the 2021 SAG Awards nominations [Complete List]
Here’s a rundown of some of the surprises and inevitable snubs from the 2021 SAG Awards nominations.
Surprise: Daveed Diggs
It’s one thing for the HFPA to embrace a recorded version of a Broadway production in their Golden Globe nominations. We expect that sort of silliness from them, but SAG voters? Really? Diggs, who helped announce the nominees was stunned when he was announced as a nominee for “Hamilton” and maybe a tad embarrassed? He did win a Tony Award for the same performance and joked “it’s the role that keeps on giving.”
Snub: Zendaya
Anyone who thinks Zendaya is going to get her first Oscar nomination for “Malcolm & Marie” should seriously reconsider whatever bets they were planning in Vegas after she was overlooked in the Female Actor in a Motion Picture category. Barring some massive swing following the film’s release on Netflix this weekend it’s very unlikely she makes the cut.
Snub: Michelle Pfeiffer, “French Exit”
This one is slightly more dubious. Pfeiffer has only been nominated once in a solo category for “White Oleander” in 2003. The film’s polarizing response may have a lot to do with whether she sneaks into Oscar’s Best Actress field or not. The fact she was overlooked here isn’t a good sign, however.
Surprise: Amy Adams and Glenn Close
Sometimes actors aren’t a good judge of their own peers, but we shouldn’t be surprised I guess? Adams is adored by her fellow actors. This is her seventh solo nomination. She won previously alongside the cast of “American Hustle.” This is Close’s 10th nomination after she won previously for “The Wife” in 2019 and “The Lion in Winter” in 2005. Both are beloved, but will Adams make the Oscar cut? Highly unlikely. Will Close attempt to win an Oscar on her eighth attempt? Does the universe want to pit Close against Olivia Colman in the same category once again? Ponder.
Surprise: “Ted Lasso”
One of the most welcome surprises of this awards season cycle so far has been the adoration for Apple TV+’s underdog comedy series. Not only did Jason Sudeikis land an individual SAG nod, but the entire cast was rewarded with a Comedy Ensemble nomination. With PGA and DGA nominees likely in the weeks ahead, “Lasso” is shaping up to be a major Emmy player later this year.
Surprise: “The Flight Attendant”
Speaking of future Emmy players, HBO Max’s breakout hit landed Kaley Cuoco an Actress in a Comedy Series nod and a Comedy Ensemble nomination as well. Consider this, after 30+ years in the business, Rosie Perez finally has a SAG Award nomination. That’s worth celebrating.
Snubs: Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh
One year you’re in, the other year you’re out. Despite both actors earning nods last year, as well as Emmy nods this past summer, their peers dismissed the “Killing Eve” pair this time around. Awards love is often fleeting.
Snub: Delroy Lindo
The fact the “Da 5 Bloods” star didn’t earn a Lead Actor in a Motion Picture nomination while the film still landed an Ensemble nod was one of the biggest head-scratchers of the day. Combined with his snub from the HFPA, Lindo’s chances at an Oscar nod are growing increasingly worrisome at this stage of the race.
Snub: Amanda Seyfried
Perhaps the biggest shock of the day was Seyfried not being recognized for her supporting work in “Mank.” You could cop it to the fact the members didn’t like the movie, but they still rewarded her co-star Gary Oldman in the Lead Actor in a Motion Picture category. At this point, Seyfried may have to hope the AMPAS actor’s branch skip out on either Glenn Close or “News of the World’s” Helena Zegel.
Surprise: “Bridgerton”
If you’re on the hunt for another future Emmy powerhouse look no further than Netflix’s “hit” “Bridgerton.” The cast crashed the Drama Ensemble field and Regé-Jean Page was an unexpected nominee in the very competitive Actor in a Drama Series category. That’s pretty legit.
Surprise: “Minari”
In what was a banner day for A24, “Minari” not only earned an acting ensemble nomination but stars Yuh-Jung Youn and Steven Yeun were honored with individual nominations. This was very welcome news after the film somehow didn’t make the BAFTA Awards longlist for Best Film despite nods in other key categories.
Surprise: Jared Leto
First a Golden Globe nod and now a SAG Award nomination for Leto’s role in “The Little Things.” Perhaps the biggest “out of the blue” awards campaign in decades. Who knew?
