The 2025 Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards brought several unexpected wins and emotional speeches, making it a memorable night for the film and television industry. Timothée Chalamet, Demi Moore, Kieran Culkin, and Zoe Saldaña were among the evening’s biggest winners. The event also honored outstanding performances in ensembles, with Shōgun and Conclave taking home major awards.
Timothée Chalamet Wins Best Actor in a Shocking Turn of Events
One of the most surprising moments of the night was Timothée Chalamet winning the award for Best Male Actor in a Leading Role for his performance as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. The award season had been dominated by Adrien Brody for The Brutalist, making Chalamet’s win unexpected. Brody had already won major awards, including the Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Critics’ Choice Awards, and was widely considered the frontrunner for the Oscars.
While accepting his award, Chalamet expressed his gratitude and surprise. “I was not expecting this at all, truly,” he said. “I poured everything I had into playing this incomparable artist.” His win now raises questions about who will take home the Oscar next week.
Demi Moore Wins for Best Female Actor
Demi Moore won Best Female Actor in a Leading Role for her role in the horror film The Substance. She triumphed over strong competitors, including Mikey Madison (Anora) and Cynthia Erivo (Wicked). During her emotional speech, Moore expressed how much the award meant to her, saying, “This is extraordinary and so deeply meaningful.” Her performance in the film has been widely praised, and this win cements her place as one of the top actors of the year.
Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña Continue Their Winning Streaks
Kieran Culkin won Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in A Real Pain. This victory follows his earlier wins at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and Independent Spirit Awards. Culkin is no stranger to the SAG Awards, having won twice before as part of the Succession ensemble.
Zoe Saldaña also continued her winning streak by taking home Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role for her role in the Netflix musical Emilia Pérez. While accepting her award, she spoke about the importance of being part of a supportive community, saying, “I am proud to be part of a union that allows me to be who I am. Everybody has the right to be who they are.”
Major Wins for Shōgun and Conclave
The historical drama Shōgun was one of the night’s biggest winners, securing four awards, including Best Drama Ensemble, Best Stunt Ensemble, Best Male Actor in a Drama Series, and Best Female Actor in a Drama Series. The show has already dominated other award shows, including the Emmys and Golden Globes, making its SAG Awards success unsurprising.
Anna Sawai, who won Best Female Actor in a Drama Series, gave a tearful speech, saying, “The show’s success has been beyond my imagination.” Hiroyuki Sanada, who won Best Male Actor in a Drama Series, spoke about the power of storytelling, stating, “Acting is a universal language.”
Meanwhile, Conclave, a film about a papal election, won Best Cast in a Motion Picture. It beat other major films, including Wicked, A Complete Unknown, Anora, and Emilia Pérez. Ralph Fiennes, one of the film’s stars, emphasized the importance of community and collaboration while accepting the award.
Jessica Gunning and Colin Farrell Win in TV Categories
Jessica Gunning won Best Female Actor in a TV Movie or Limited Series for her performance in Baby Reindeer. She triumphed over strong competitors such as Jodie Foster, Cate Blanchett, and Kathy Bates. Gunning thanked her co-star and the show’s creator, Richard Gadd, for making her dreams come true.
Colin Farrell also had a major win, taking home Best Male Actor in a Limited Series for his role in The Penguin. This was Farrell’s first SAG Award win. While receiving his award, he joked about an earlier incident at the Golden Globes, where Jamie Lee Curtis playfully accused him of giving her COVID. Farrell laughed and responded, “Guilty as charged,” before humorously blaming his Banshees of Inisherin co-star Brendan Gleeson for spreading the virus first.
Jean Smart and Martin Short Win in Comedy Categories
Jean Smart won Best Female Actor in a Comedy Series for her role in Hacks. She faced tough competition from Ayo Edebiri (The Bear) and Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary). This win marks her third SAG Award, further solidifying her status as one of television’s most talented actors.
In a surprising win, Martin Short was named Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series for Only Murders in the Building. He beat two-time winner Jeremy Allen White (The Bear), as well as seasoned actors Harrison Ford and Ted Danson. This was Short’s first SAG Award, making his victory even more special.
The cast of Only Murders in the Building also won Best Comedy Ensemble. Selena Gomez, one of the show’s stars, expressed her disbelief while accepting the award, saying, “Wait, we never win, this is so weird!”
