Tessa Thompson’s portrayal of Hedda Gabler in the film Hedda has garnered attention for its intensity and complexity, positioning her as a promising contender in the 2026 awards season. The actress delivers a captivating performance in Nia DaCosta’s period drama, with many critics and viewers acknowledging the skillful depth she brings to the character. However, despite the standout role, questions remain about Thompson’s likelihood of securing an Oscar nomination.
Assessing Tessa Thompson’s Prospects for an Oscar Nomination
Thompson’s strongest chance at an Academy Award lies within the Best Actress category, where she is clearly the lead in Hedda. Unlike other roles that sometimes shift actors into supporting categories during campaigns, Thompson’s part leaves no ambiguity about her positioning. Yet, despite her commanding performance, she is not currently seen as a leading contender among Oscar nominees in 2026.
Her Gotham Awards nomination for Outstanding Lead Performance indicates that industry recognition remains possible, but the Best Actress race is crowded with formidable competitors. Jessie Buckley’s work in Hamnet stands out as the frontrunner, while Renate Reinsve for Sentimental Value and Emma Stone in Bugonia are also strong possibilities for nomination. Other serious candidates include Cynthia Erivo (Wicked: For Good), Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You), Amanda Seyfried (The Testament of Ann Lee), Jennifer Lawrence (Die, My Love), and Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another).
Given these names dominating most expert predictions, Thompson’s presence in the nomination conversation appears tenuous. In one recent ranking for Best Actress prospects, she was categorized as “in the mix” but did not crack the top five. This assessment aligns with broader industry sentiment, as many awards analysts also place her outside the primary contenders.
Variety’s Clayton Davis ranked her 11th, while The Hollywood Reporter’s Scott Feinberg included her just outside the main nominees in a “Possibilities” grouping at 10th. The NextBestPicture team does not include her in their consensus top ten, and GoldDerby’s combined expert and user odds list Thompson at 11th, with a brief 1.28% chance of nomination. Shawn Edwards from WDAF-TV Fox stands as a notable exception, supporting her nomination chances. Meanwhile, betting markets reflect similar skepticism, placing her as a long shot at +3500 odds on DraftKings.
Though these evaluations suggest a steep climb for Thompson’s Oscar hopes, her Gotham nod and the growing visibility of Hedda streaming on Prime Video offer a foundation for a possible campaign surge. It remains crucial for momentum to build quickly if she is to break into the core list of nominees.
Amazon’s Award History and Its Impact on Thompson’s Campaign
The strength of any awards campaign can hinge greatly on studio backing, and Amazon’s involvement with Hedda plays an influential role in Thompson’s prospects. While Amazon’s streaming rival Netflix has consistently earned numerous Oscar nominations and wins, Amazon’s track record is more sporadic and modest.
Amazon’s breakthrough came with Manchester by the Sea in 2016, which was the first streaming platform film to earn a Best Picture nomination. That film also secured Amazon’s initial acting nods with Casey Affleck winning Best Actor, alongside nominations for Lucas Hedges and Michelle Williams in supporting categories. Since then, Amazon films have received other notable acting nominations, such as Leslie Odom Jr. for One Night in Miami, Riz Ahmed and Paul Raci for Sound of Metal, and Maria Makalova for Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. Additionally, Being the Ricardos brought nominations for Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, and J.K. Simmons.
Despite these nods, Amazon has rarely converted nominations into acting wins, and its record for Best Actress nominations is limited. Thus, Thompson would be looking to break new ground for Amazon if she were to secure a nomination in the category. Much depends on whether Amazon prioritizes Hedda and crafts an effective push for her performance.
The studio is currently managing Julia Roberts’ campaign for After the Hunt, though the film has underperformed critically and commercially, reducing Roberts’ chances as a serious contender. Given this context, Amazon may shift greater focus to Hedda as its primary awards hopeful. There is growing excitement around Nia DaCosta’s film in awards circles, suggesting the studio could rally behind Thompson’s performance in the final stretch of the season.
Effective strategies, such as targeted For Your Consideration screenings and post-screening discussions with Thompson, will be vital to bolstering her visibility among Academy voters. Amazon’s ability to generate buzz and maintain momentum for Hedda will heavily influence whether Thompson can overcome the current odds and join the top tier of Best Actress nominees.
Inside Tessa Thompson’s Role in Hedda
In her role as Hedda Gabler, Thompson navigates a character of sharp contrasts and deep emotional layers. The story reimagines Henrik Ibsen’s iconic play, focusing on Hedda’s complex psyche. She is a woman accustomed to control, combining charm, intelligence, and a fierce desire for autonomy. Yet beneath that exterior, she hides profound pain and internal conflict.
The character’s shifting moods—ranging from cold calculation to vulnerable sincerity—require Thompson to demonstrate remarkable versatility. Her ability to transition between these intense emotional states spotlights her range as an actress and serves as the centerpiece of the film’s dramatic power. Critics have noted that Thompson’s depiction captures the urgency and turmoil at the heart of Hedda, making it a career-defining performance.
The Key Cast Behind Hedda
Alongside Thompson, the film features Nina Hoss as Eileen, a supporting character whose interactions with Hedda add tension and nuance to the story. The chemistry and dynamic between the lead actors further enrich the narrative, helping to bring DaCosta’s vision to life with a compelling and atmospheric style.
Thompson’s involvement in the project, coming off of major roles in franchises like Creed and as Valkyrie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, marks a shift towards more challenging, character-driven work. This transition highlights her ambition and dedication to expanding her artistic footprint, even as she faces stiff competition for industry recognition.
What Lies Ahead for Thompson at the Oscars
Although Tessa Thompson’s current positioning for an Oscar nomination may appear uncertain and fraught with challenges, the evolving awards landscape and Amazon’s campaigning efforts leave room for optimism. The combination of her remarkable performance in Hedda and a strategic awards push could disrupt expectations and narrow the gap between her and the frontrunners.
As the awards season progresses, Thompson’s best chance to gain traction will come from increased exposure through screenings and industry engagement. If Amazon commits fully to promoting Hedda while leveraging the actress’s rising profile, the 98th Academy Awards might finally recognize her talent with a nomination that many believe she deserves but has not yet secured.
