The glitz and glamour of Hollywood descended upon Los Angeles as the prestigious Actor Awards ceremony unfolded on Sunday evening, marking a significant rebranding year for the event. Among the stars lighting up the red carpet was Paul Mescal, who joined his Hamnet co-stars Jessie Buckley and Jacobi Jupe for a stylish pre-ceremony dinner.
A Night of Elegance and Nominations
The 30-year-old Irish actor, nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of William Shakespeare in the period drama, cut a dapper figure in a sleek black suit layered over a silk shirt and necktie. He beamed alongside Best Actress nominee Jessie Buckley, 36, who exuded elegance in a striking black and white Balenciaga gown. Completing the trio was 12-year-old Jacobi Jupe, who plays their onscreen son Hamnet, opting for a playful sparkly gold blazer.
Hamnet's Award Contention
As well as both top acting gongs, the critically acclaimed film Hamnet is also nominated for the coveted Cast In A Motion Picture Award, highlighting the ensemble's powerful performance. The movie faces stiff competition from other major contenders including Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, and Sinners in this category.
The Actor Awards Rebrand
The ceremony officially rebranded as The Actor Awards this year, a strategic move designed to align the show with its iconic statuette 'The Actor', sharpen its global identity, and keep the spotlight squarely on performers honoring their peers. Streaming live on Netflix, the ceremony will distribute honors across 28 categories spanning film, television, and limited series, with six nominees in each race except Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, which features eight contenders.
Familiar Host Returns
Steering the ship for the third time is the familiar face of Kristen Bell, who returns as host having previously emceed in 2018 and 2025. Show-runner and executive producer Jon Brockett expressed enthusiasm about her return, stating in an official release, 'Having Kristen return to host feels like welcoming back a member of the family. One you actually want to hang out with.'
Competitive Film Categories
On the film side, One Battle After Another leads the nomination pack with seven nods, followed closely by Sinners with five. The race for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role is particularly stacked with Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme, Michael B. Jordan for Sinners, Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon, and Jesse Plemons for Bugonia.
Female Lead and Supporting Contenders
The Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role category is equally competitive, featuring Jessie Buckley for Hamnet, Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Kate Hudson for Song Sung Blue, and Emma Stone for Bugonia. In supporting categories, Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn both scored nominations for One Battle After Another, while Jacob Elordi earned recognition for Frankenstein, Paul Mescal for Hamnet, and Miles Caton for Sinners in the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role race.
The Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role lineup includes Odessa A’Zion for Marty Supreme, Ariana Grande for Wicked: For Good, Amy Madigan for Weapons, Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners, and Teyana Taylor for One Battle After Another, presenting a compelling mix of seasoned veterans and exciting newcomers.
Television Honors
Television categories also promise fierce competition, with Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series featuring The Diplomat, Landman, The Pitt, Severance, and The White Lotus. Comedy series ensembles vying for honors include Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Hacks, Only Murders in the Building, and The Studio.
Stunt Ensemble Recognition
Stunt work receives well-deserved spotlight with the Outstanding Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture category including F1, Frankenstein, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, One Battle After Another, and Sinners. Television stunt ensembles recognized include Andor, Landman, The Last of Us, Squid Game, and Stranger Things.
As the entertainment industry gathers to celebrate outstanding performances, the rebranded Actor Awards ceremony promises an evening of recognition, camaraderie, and celebration of the art of acting across all mediums.
