2017 Oscar Predictions: BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS (May)

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Although Michelle Williams (Manchester by the Sea) still holds onto the #1 this month (her third in a row), Moonlight‘s Naomie Harris sees yet another big point total increase month to month and is starting to close in on that top spot. A first test screening of the film in New York City that was attended by about a half dozen AwardsWatchers last night revealed that Harris has by far the standout role and performance but also very strong word for Janelle Monáe. Between Moonlight and Hidden Figures, Monáe could be someone to watch this season.

Rachel Weisz and her two potential awards grabs this year are seeing the Gold Rush Gang now leaning to Deep Water as her best chance even though the film has yet to secure a US distributor or release date. But, it is only May and many Oscar-heavy studios make awards buys during the summer for fall and winter releases. Katey Sagal (Bleed For This) saw her stock fall this month after a test screening revealed she didn’t have quite the juicy role as expected. In turn, Nicole Kidman is starting to look good for a 4th Oscar nomination with The Weinstein Company’s main horse this year, Lion. Kristen Stewart is back on the chart at #9 with Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk. The film will drop its first trailer next week and that should give us a better idea of her awards potential. Her profile couldn’t be higher this month with Café Society opening the Cannes Film Festival this week as well as a film In Competition, Personal Shopper.

Elsewhere, Oscar winner Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures), Aja Naomi King (The Birth of a Nation) and Julianne Moore (Maggie’s Plan) find a smattering of support and Annette Bening continues to split her votes between Lead and Supporting in 20th Century Women and will do so until we have a clearer idea of her role.

OTHER CONTENDERS
Shohreh Aghdashloo – The Promise
Jennifer Aniston – The Yellow Birds
Annette Bening – Untitled Howard Hughes Film
Lily Collins – Untitled Howard Hughes Film
Olivia Colman – The Lobster
Judi Dench – Tulip Fever
Laura Dern – The Founder
Aunjanue Ellis – The Birth of a Nation
Allison Janney – Tallulah
Nicole Kidman – How to Talk to Girls at Parties
Jennifer Jason Leigh – LBJ
Laura Linney – Sully
Rooney Mara – Lion
Janelle Monáe – Hidden Figures
Janelle Monáe – Moonlight
Kristen Stewart – Certain Women
Meg Tilly – War Machine

Follow the updated Gold Rush Gang predictions in other Oscar categories here:

BEST PICTURE
BEST DIRECTOR
BEST ACTOR
BEST ACTRESS
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
BEST FILM EDITING
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
BEST MAKEUP & HAIRSTYLING