Jessie Buckley led the British and Irish stars hitting the red carpet for the 2026 Actor Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night.
Fresh from a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice awards win, the Hamnet actress, 36, will battle it out for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role.
Jessie exuded elegance in a black and white Balenciaga gown as she joined fellow Actor Awards nominees Aimee Lou Wood, 32, Erin Doherty, 33, as well as Emily Watson, 59, at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall.
Manchester-born Aimee caught the eye in a baby blue chiffon off-the-shoulder dress, made bespoke by Versace, and Jimmy Choo sandals.
The actress is up Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series, while her show White Lotus is in the running for Best Ensemble.
Aimee, who played Chelsea in the third season of the HBO drama, enjoyed a red carpet reunion with Leslie Bibb, 52.
Jessie Buckley led the British and Irish stars hitting the red carpet for the 2026 Actor Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night
Fellow Actor Awards nominees Aimee Lou Wood, 32, and Erin Doherty, 33, looked incredible as they hit the red carpet in their glamorous dresses
Emily Watson looked effortlessly elegant in a blue gown which cascaded over her shoulders in a cape-like style
Erin looked glamorous in a custom Louis Vuitton structured pale pink satin dress which she teamed with matching heels.
The Crown actress is up for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie following her incredible performance in Netflix series Adolescence.
Emily looked effortlessly elegant in a blue gown which cascaded over her shoulders in a cape-like style.
Mia Goth, 32, meanwhile, put on a dazzling display in an embellished dress which featured a ruffled train.
It marked her first red carpet appearance since estranged husband Shia LaBeouf’s second battery arrest in just 10 days.
The actor was booked into a New Orleans jail on Saturday on a misdemeanor battery charge, stemming from a Mardi Gras bar fight earlier this month.
Shia had initially been arrested on February 17 over the same altercation and later posted a $100,000 bond. He is now required to check into rehab and undergo regular drug and alcohol testing.
Amid all the drama, Mia, 32, who split from the Transformers star last year after nine years of marriage, put on a brave face at the Hollywood event.
Sinners star Wunmi Mosaku, 39, who is up for Best Supporting Actress, wowed in a custom Louis Vuitton red gown and Messika jewellery.
Jessie, Emily and Chloe Zhao are the creative force behind the critically acclaimed historical drama Hamnet
Jessie exuded elegance in a black and white Balenciaga gown
Paul Mescal joined his Hamnet co-stars for a photo on the red carpet
White Lotus stars Aimee (L) and Leslie Bibb (R) enjoyed a reunion as they posed together
Manchester-born Aimee caught the eye in a baby blue chiffon off-the-shoulder dress, made bespoke by Versace, and Jimmy Choo sandals
Mia Goth, 32, meanwhile, put on a dazzling display in an embellished dress which featured a ruffled train
It marked the actress’ first red carpet appearance since estranged husband Shia LaBeouf ’s second battery arrest in just 10 days
Terri Seymour shimmered in a slinky silver floor length gown with spaghetti straps and a cut out section just underneath the bust
Paul Mescal showed off his signature style in an oversized double breasted blazer and tie shirt. The actor is up for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Hamnet
Damson Idris, 34, cut a cool figure in pinstripes as he hit the red carpet, while Damian Lewis opted for a cream blazer and black trousers
Rufus Sewell was joined by his glamorous wife Vivian Benitez for the 32nd annual Actor Awards
Rufus cut a dapper figure in an all black suit as he posed for the camera
Wunmi Mosaku wowed in custom Louis Vuitton and Messika jewellery
Coronation Street’s Katy Cavanagh joined Hamnet star son Jacobi Jupe
Jacobi, 12, rocked a gold sequinned blazer for the one of the biggest nights in Hollywood
Ella Balinska nailed androgynous chic in a black suit and tie
Tracy Ifeachor turned heads in her statement red gown which had a daring thigh-high slit
David Gyasi and wife Emma arrived for the glittering awards ceremony
David, 46, is up for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for his role as Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison in the Netflix drama series The Diplomat
Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell were dressed to impress for the evening
The actor put on an animated display as he tried to fan out Keri’s dress
Jack O’Connell opted for an all white suit with black shoes, while Charlie Hunnam rocked a crushed velvet blazer
The Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role category features Jessie for Hamnet (pictured)
Paul and Jessie appeared in high spirits as the awards show began
Paul posed for a snap with Jacobi inside the venue as the ceremony began
Paul Mescal showed off his signature style in an oversized double breasted blazer and tie shirt.
The Irish actor, 30, is up for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Hamnet.
Coronation Street’s Katy Cavanagh joined Hamnet star son Jacobi Jupe.
The actress, 52, who played Julie Carp in the ITV soap, looked worlds away from Weatherfield in a glamorous black sequinned gown.
Her dazzling dress boasted a chic boat neckline while adding a pop of colour with emerald earrings and a striking red lip.
Meanwhile Jacobi, 12, rocked a gold sequinned blazer for the one of the biggest nights in Hollywood
In the tearjerker, Jacobi plays the title role, Shakespeare’s son who died aged 11, while Noah plays an actor performing Hamlet in the Bard’s play said to have been inspired by that tragedy.
Julie has reinvented herself as a showbiz ‘momager’ – a combination of mum and manager – as he also supports eldest son Noah, 20, best known for his role in A Quiet Place and also appears in Hamnet.
Streaming live on Netflix, the ceremony will hand out honours 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.
On the film side, One Battle After Another leads the pack with seven nominations, followed closely by Sinners with five.
The race for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role is 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.
The Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role category is equally competitive, featuring Jessie 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 for Sinners, and Teyana Taylor for One Battle After Another – a mix of seasoned veterans and exciting newcomers.
The Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture category brings ensemble firepower from Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another and Sinners, underscoring just how actor-driven this awards body remains.
Television, meanwhile, has its own battleground.
On the comedy front, The Studio dominated with five nominations, cementing its status as an actors’ favorite.
On the film side, One Battle After Another starring Leonardo DiCaprio leads the pack with seven nominations
Sinners starring Michael B. Jordan racked up five nominations
It will compete for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series alongside Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Hacks and Only Murders in the Building.
Individual comedy acting races feature names like Kathryn Hahn, Catherine O’Hara and Seth Rogen from The Studio, Jean Smart for Hacks, Jenna Ortega for Wednesday, Adam Brody for Nobody Wants This, Ted Danson for A Man on the Inside and Martin Short for Only Murders in the Building.
Drama is just as intense. The White Lotus, Severance, The Diplomat, The Pitt and Landman are all nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.
Acting nods in the drama categories went to performers including Britt Lower, Parker Posey, Keri Russell, Rhea Seehorn, Aimee Lou Wood, Sterling K. Brown, Billy Crudup, Walton Goggins, Gary Oldman and Noah Wyle.
Limited series and television movies continue to prove their awards muscle.
Nominees for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series include Claire Danes for The Beast in Me, Erin Doherty and Christine Tremarco for Adolescence, Sarah Snook for All Her Fault and Michelle Williams for Dying for Sex.
On the male side, Jason Bateman for Black Rabbit, Owen Cooper and Stephen Graham for Adolescence, Charlie Hunnam for Monster: The Ed Gein Story and Matthew Rhys for The Beast in Me are all in contention.
Yet no awards season is complete without a little controversy.
Cynthia Erivo’s surprising snub from Wicked: For Good dominated conversation, while Ariana Grande secured a nomination
One of the most talked-about snubs was Cynthia Erivo, who many expected to be nominated for Wicked: For Good but was left off the list.
Fans also pointed to the absence of Gwyneth Paltrow and Dwayne Johnson, while others questioned the limited international representation among acting nominees.
Additional omissions, including Sentimental Value on the film side and Death by Lightning in television, fueled further chatter.
Still, there were pleasant surprises that delighted fans, including supporting nominations for Odessa A’Zion (Marty Supreme) and Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners), highlighting the breadth of this year’s roster.
Adding gravitas to the evening, Hollywood legend Harrison Ford will receive the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award.
Over a career spanning more than five decades, Ford has anchored some of the biggest franchises in film history, from Star Wars and Indiana Jones to Blade Runner and The Fugitive, cementing his status as one of Hollywood’s most bankable and enduring leading men.
‘I am deeply honored to be chosen as this year’s recipient of the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award,’ Ford said.
‘To be acknowledged by my fellow actors means a great deal to me. I’ve spent most of my life on film sets, working alongside incredible actors and crews, and I’ve always felt grateful to be part of this community.’
The White Lotus (pictured), Severance, The Diplomat, The Pitt and Landman are all nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.
And helping represent the next generation is Bridgerton breakout Yerin Ha, who has been tapped as this year’s Ambassador for The Actor Awards.
‘Being named The Actor Awards Ambassador is such an honor because this ceremony is about actors celebrating actors,’ Ha said.
‘There is something uniquely powerful about being recognized within your own community. As someone who cares so deeply about the craft and about collaboration, it means so much to represent the next generation of actors and be part of an event that uplifts storytelling.’
Actor Awards 2026 nominees
FILM
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A CAST IN A MOTION PICTURE
Frankenstein (Netflix)
Hamnet (Focus Features)
Marty Supreme (A24)
One Battle After Another (Warner Bros)
Sinners (Warner Bros)
The cast of Leonardo DiCaprio flick One Battle After Another is up for the biggest prize of the night
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
Kate Hudson – Song Sung Blue
Chase Infinity – One Battle After Another
Emma Stone – Bugonia
Jessie Buckley is up for Best Female Actor in a Leading Role for Hamnet
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme
Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another
Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon
Michael B. Jordan – Sinners
Jesse Plemons – Bugonia
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Miles Caton – Sinners
Benicio Del Toro – One Battle After Another
Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein
Paul Mescal – Hamnet
Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Odessa A’zion – Marty Supreme
Ariana Grande – Wicked: For Good
Amy Madigan – Weapons
Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another
Amy Madigan was recognized for her work in Weapons
OUTSTANDING STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
F1 (Apple Original Films)
Frankenstein (Netflix)
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (Paramount)
One Battle After Another (Warner Bros)
Sinners (Warner Bros)
TELEVISION
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A DRAMA SERIES
The Diplomat (Netflix)
Landman (Paramount+)
The Pitt (HBO Max)
Severance (Apple TV)
The White Lotus (HBO)
The Pitt hopes to continue their successful awards season run
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Sterling K. Brown – Paradise
Billy Crudup – The Morning Show
Walton Goggins – The White Lotus
Gary Oldman – Slow Horses
Noah Wyle – The Pitt
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Britt Lower – Severance
Parker Posey – The White Lotus
Keri Russell – The Diplomat
Rhea Seehorn – Pluribus
Aimee Lou Wood – The White Lotus
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A COMEDY SERIES
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
The Bear (FX/Hulu)
Hacks (HBO Max)
Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
The Studio (Apple TV)
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Ike Barinholtz – The Studio
Adam Brody – Nobody Wants This
Ted Danson – Inside Man
Seth Rogen – The Studio
Martin Short – Only Murders in the Building
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Kathryn Hahn – The Studio
Catherine O’Hara – The Studio
Jenna Ortega – Wednesday
Jean Smart – Hacks
Kristen Wiig – Palm Royale
Jean Smart was recognized for her work in Hacks once again
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES
Jason Bateman – Black Rabbit
Owen Cooper – Adolescence
Stephen Graham – Adolescence
Charlie Hunnam – Monster: The Ed Gein Story
Matthew Rhys – The Beast In Me
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES
Claire Danes – The Beast In Me
Erin Doherty – Adolescence
Sarah Snook – All Her Fault
Christine Tremarco – Adolescence
Michelle Williams – Dying For Sex
OUTSTANDING STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A TELEVISION SERIES
Andor (Disney+)
Landman (Paramount+)
The Last of Us (HBO)
Squid Game (Netflix)
Stranger Things (Netflix)