The biggest stars of film and television were out in force last night as the 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards took place in Hollywood.

After landing key recognition at last week’s BAFTAs, Conclave bolstered its grip on the Oscar race after landing the coveted Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture prize.

The papal thriller, which centres on a cardinal tasked with searching for the next Pope, overcame mighty competition from the likes of Anora and Wicked to persevere with stars Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini and John Lithgow among the stars to collect the award.

In a night peppered with celebrations of the actors’ union, Fiennes said: “We do recognise the supreme importance of community in our work and in the world.”

As with BAFTA, Conclave’s victory here was a timely one and leaves it in a strong position to win the Best Picture category ahead of next weekend’s Oscars ceremony.

On the acting front, Demi Moore reignited her hopes of a gold statuette after taking home Leading Female Actor for her performance as seasoned celebrity Elizabeth Sparkle in the horror satire The Substance.

Having edged out starlet Mikey Madison (Anora) for the award, Moore said in her speech:

“You have all been my greatest teachers, and I am so grateful that I have continued over these many years to be able to try, and sometimes succeed and sometimes fail, but to be able to keep going.”

Meanwhile, a minor upset saw Timothée Chalamet overcome Oscar favourite Adrien Brody (The Pianist) to win Leading Male Actor for his portrayal of music icon Bob Dylan in the factual drama A Complete Unknown.

In a passionate speech, Chalamet said:

“I know the classiest thing would be to downplay the effort that went into this role and how much this means to me.

“But the truth is, this was five-and-a-half years of my life, I poured everything I have into playing this incomparable artist, Mr Bob Dylan, an American hero, and it was the honour of a lifetime playing him.”

However, there were no surprises in the supporting categories, as Zoe Saldaña and Kieran Culkin both moved a step closer towards Oscar success after their own key victories.

Once again, Saldaña took home Supporting Female Actor for her turn as high-powered lawyer Rita Mora Castro in the controversial crime musical Emilia Pérez, with Ariana Grande (Wicked) among her fellow nominees.

In the case of Culkin, the former Succession star followed up his Golden Globe and BAFTA triumphs by scooping the Supporting Male Actor prize for his performance as troubled loner Benji in the indie comedy A Real Pain.

He described the award as a “huge honour”, and thanked the sister of his director Jesse Eisenberg for suggesting him for the role.

Earlier in the evening, the action comedy The Fall Guy prevailed in the Outstanding Stunt Ensemble category ahead of other blockbusters including Deadpool & Wolverine and Dune: Part Two.

Finally, multi-award-winning actress and activist Jane Fonda was honoured with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award for a superb career in film and television with notable roles including Cat Ballou (1965), Barefoot in the Park (1967), Barbarella (1968), They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (1969), Klute (1971), Julia (1977), Coming Home (1978), The China Syndrome (1979), 9 to 5 (1980), On Golden Pond (1981), The Dollmaker (1984), The Morning After (1986) and Grace and Frankie (2015-22).

In an impassioned speech which indirectly referenced political turmoil, Fonda concluded her speech by saying:

“We mustn’t kid ourselves about what is happening.

“We must not isolate, we must stay in community, help the vulnerable, we must find a way to project an inspiring vision of the future.”

While many films and actors were in buoyant mood from their wins, it was a disappointing evening for Anora and Wicked, as both films came away from last night’s ceremony empty-handed.

The full list of SAG (film) winners are…

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A CAST IN A MOTION PICTURE
CONCLAVE

OUTSTANDING FEMALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Demi Moore, THE SUBSTANCE

OUTSTANDING MALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Timothée Chalamet, A COMPLETE UNKNOWN

OUTSTANDING FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Zoe Saldaña, EMILIA PÉREZ

OUTSTANDING MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
Kieran Culkin, A REAL PAIN

OUTSTANDING ACTION PERFORMANCE BY A STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
THE FALL GUY

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On the television side of things, FX’s Shōgun concluded its dominance through the 2024/25 US awards season by coasting to four wins in the drama categories.

The historical epic eased its way to victory in the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series field ahead of the likes of Bridgerton, The Day of the Jackal and Slow Horses.

Additionally, leading stars Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai took home the Male Actor (Drama) and Female Actor (Drama) accolades for their respective performances as Japanese lord Yoshii Toranaga and translator Toda Mariko.

Upon accepting her award, Sawai said:

“I’m very happy, but also kind of sad, because this is probably the last time I’m able to celebrate the work with you guys.”

With an Outstanding Stunt Ensemble prize also under its belt, Shōgun finishes off a mighty showing on the awards front after sweeping its way to a record-breaking victory at last year’s Emmys as well as recent success at the Golden Globes.

Elsewhere, the fourth series of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building enjoyed a memorable night by landing two major accolades.

The mystery caper pulled off a surprise win in the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, with victory coming at the expense of other big contenders, including The Bear and Shrinking.

Furthermore, Martin Short was a welcoming victor of the Male Actor (Comedy) prize for his popular turn as eccentric Broadway director Oliver Putnam, though the veteran comedy star was unable to pick up the award.

Meanwhile, an absent Jean Smart was the winner of the Female Actor (Comedy) gong for a third time in four years for her lauded performance as seasoned comedian Deborah Vance in the third series of HBO Max’s Hacks.

After landing key accolades at the Emmys and Golden Globes, Yorkshire star Jessica Gunning scooped another award for her portrayal of deranged stalker Martha Hunt in the fact-based Netflix miniseries Baby Reindeer.

During her speech, Gunning recalled working in an office when she was starting out as an actress, and creating a vision board using PowerPoint that featured inspirational people she wanted to work with that included fellow nominees Kathy Bates, Cate Blanchett and Jodie Foster.

There was also joy for Colin Farrell, as the Irish performer took home the Male Actor (Television Movie or Limited Series) gong for his chilling turn as Batman villain Oswald “Oz” Cobb (a.k.a. The Penguin) in HBO Max’s The Penguin.

The full list of SAG (television) winners are…

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A DRAMA SERIES
SHŌGUN

OUTSTANDING FEMALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Anna Sawai, SHŌGUN

OUTSTANDING MALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Hiroyuki Sanada, SHŌGUN

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A COMEDY SERIES
ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING

OUTSTANDING FEMALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Jean Smart, HACKS

OUTSTANDING MALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Martin Short, ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING

OUTSTANDING FEMALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES
Jessica Gunning, BABY REINDEER

OUTSTANDING MALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES
Colin Farrell, THE PENGUIN

OUTSTANDING ACTION PERFORMANCE BY A STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A TELEVISION SERIES
SHŌGUN