‘The Big Short,’ ‘Spotlight’ to vie at SAG Awards

“Orange Is the New Black” star Uzo Aduba kicked off the 22nd annual Screen Actors Guild Awards with her second win in two years, while the Netflix prison comedy also repeated for best ensemble in a television comedy series.

Hollywood actors will gather to crown the best performances in film and television on Saturday as a furor over diversity in show business casts a shadow over an awards season usually marked by congratulations and red carpet fashion.

The actor took home a gong for Luther in the TV Movie/Miniseries category, followed by another win for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Beast Of No Nation.

Room star Brie Larson was honoured at last night’s Screen Actors Guild Awards with the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, making her the hot favourite to take home the Oscar next month.

As the number of diverse wins continued to rise, Elba acknowledged the triumph, saying, “Welcome to diverse TV” as he introduced best ensemble nominee Beasts of No Nation alongside his costar Abraham Attah.

Downton Abbey, Spotlight, and Orange Is the New Black won the ensemble awards, but diversity was the night’s big victor, especially in the wake of the #OscarsSoWhite controversy.

And the list of SAG Awards winners was a great step in the right direction after what felt like a major step backwards in the Oscar nominations this year.

He was one of many actors who voice their opinions about the race row during the night.

Kidman, nominated for Grace of Monaco, missed out in the best actress in a TV movie or mini-series category to Bessie’s Queen Latifah.

“And I hope that anyone out there who does not come in the package that people say you should – keep fighting for it”, Latifah said in her acceptance speech. Carol Burnett shared a moving anecdote about standing up for The Carol Burnett Show in a time where comedy variety was a man’s world as she accepted a lifetime achievement award.

Kevin Spacey brought Netflix its other award for his role as Frank Underwood in “House of Cards”, for which he has also won a Golden Globe. She then dramatically shook her head and mouthed: “No”.

“We have become a society of trending topics”, said Davis.

– Acting is not in a bubble – that magic only happens between acting companions. “Regardless of what’s going on at the Academy (of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences), we will always find a way to be excellent”, she added.