SAG Awards offer antidote to Oscar rancor

While introducing a clip from “Beasts of No Nation”, Elba took a dig at the lack of diversity in this year’s Oscars’ nominations. Thus, his two SAG wins are definitely a huge accomplishment, giving him an appropriate nod of success.

Idris Elba has scooped two accolades at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles.

Brie Larson, the star of the captive mother-son drama “Room“, won best actress.

Elba won best actor in a TV series for the BBC cop drama Luther and best supporting actor for Beasts Of No Nation – a film ignored by Oscar voters.

After losing the Producers Guild Award to The Big Short last week, Spotlight rebounded – and kept the Oscar race interesting – by winning best ensemble, which, since it honors acting, has only matched the Oscar top prize 10 of 20 times. Voting for the SAG Awards, which concluded Friday, also overlapped with the widespread debate over the industry’s inclusiveness that followed Academy Awards nominations that resurrected the “OscarsSoWhite” backlash of a year ago.

“Ladies and gentleman”, Elba said at one point, “welcome to diverse TV”. She said it was more important for people to see films starring and made by people of colour.

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images The cast of ‘Orange Is the New Black accept Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series award.

Meanwhile, Queen Latifah took home the trophy for her performance in the television movie Bessie, while Viola Davis won for female actor in a drama series for How to Get Away with Murder.

The three main acting awards were given to films with mainly white casts, Spotlight, The Revenant and Room, all of which are among the Oscar favourites. Known for her frankness and straight-forwardness, the talented actress accepted the award with a heart-warming speech.

“We must celebrate those awards shows that do celebrate diversity”. As Leo picked up his first SAG Award, he was greeted with a standing ovation.

The cast of Orange is the New Black won, as did Uzo Aduba for her character Crazy Eyes in the Netflix drama. “They won because the actors have craft, they have a level of excellence that reaches people – and we’re actors too”.

Best supporting actress went to Alicia Vikander for The Danish Girl.

Transgenderism was also celebrated once more by the SAGs when Jeffery Tambor picked up the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a comedy series for his role as Maura Pfefferman in Amazon’s Transparent.