The 2026 Actor Awards, formerly known as the SAG Awards, took place on Sunday, March 1, at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles. Keri Russell was among the leading winners during the ceremony, which streamed live on Netflix and celebrated outstanding achievements in film and television acting.
This marks the first year the event was held under the new name, Actor Awards, reflecting a clearer focus on honoring actors across these mediums. The event’s host, Kristen Bell, guided the proceedings while Harrison Ford received the prestigious SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award for his extensive contributions to the industry.
Highlights from the 2026 Actor Awards Ceremony
The ceremony spotlighted exceptional performances from a variety of actors and ensembles, recognizing achievements in both movies and television. Keri Russell stood out by winning the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for her role in The Diplomat. The drama series itself also secured the award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, further demonstrating its critical acclaim.
Kristen Bell explained the decision behind renaming the awards:
We wanted to provide clearer recognition in terms of what the show is about for our domestic and global audiences: We honor actors in film and television,
and added,
Laser-focusing the name on those two things became the clearest and most straightforward path for this new chapter of the show.
Harrison Ford, honored with the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award and presented by Woody Harrelson, joined a distinguished group of industry legends such as Jane Fonda, Sally Field, Barbra Streisand, Helen Mirren, Robert De Niro, and Morgan Freeman.
Notable Film Award Winners
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role went to Michael B. Jordan for his work in Sinners. In the corresponding female category, Jessie Buckley received the award for her leading role in Hamnet.
The supporting actor prizes went to Sean Penn for Male Actor in a Supporting Role for One Battle After Another, and Amy Madigan won for Female Actor in a Supporting Role for her role in Weapons.
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture was awarded to the cast of Sinners, recognizing its strong ensemble and overall impact.
Television Categories Featuring Award Winners
In Television Movies and Limited Series, Owen Cooper was awarded Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor for Adolescence, while Michelle Williams took home the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor for Dying for Sex.
Noah Wyle won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series for his role in The Pitt. Keri Russell’s win for Female Actor in a Drama Series highlighted her compelling work in The Diplomat, competing against respected performers such as Britt Lower and Parker Posey.
For comedy series, Seth Rogen was recognized as the Outstanding Male Actor for The Studio, and Catherine O’Hara was the Outstanding Female Actor winner, also for The Studio. The comedy ensemble award went to The Studio, underscoring the show’s breadth of talent.
Action and Stunt Performance Winners
In the action categories, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning earned Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture. On television, The Last of Us took home the equivalent award for stunt ensemble, highlighting the impressive physical contributions to storytelling.
Significance and Future Outlook of Actor Awards
The rebranded Actor Awards reflect a deliberate commitment to focusing on actors’ achievements across both screen industries, simplifying the show’s identity for a global audience. Keri Russell’s success at the event not only reaffirms her status in television drama but also signals continued recognition of quality performances within high-profile series like The Diplomat.
With Harrison Ford’s lifetime accomplishments celebrated and new talents and ensembles acknowledged, the 2026 Actor Awards position themselves as a definitive platform for recognizing acting excellence. The event’s alignment with streaming platforms like Netflix also suggests a future in which accessibility and broad reach remain priorities for honoring performers.
