Screen Actors Guild (SAG) nomination predictions: Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series

Without an ensemble category to praise the casts of limited series, the SAG Awards settle by having only two categories dedicated to the performers of limited series: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series and Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series. These categories encompass all performances across limited series or television movies, as supporting and lead don’t have their own categories. With that, it’s time to look at the possible nominations for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series.

First up is recent Emmy winner Ewan McGregor for his role in Netflix’s Halston. While earning mixed reviews for the series, McGregor garnered much praise for his performance in the show. While McGregor has been in three films that have grabbed Ensemble nominations, he’s never earned himself an individual SAG nomination. This could be the year that changes.

Looking to be nominated next to his co-star is Oscar Isaac in HBO’s Scenes from a Marriage. The series follows the dissolution of a marriage, Isaac playing the husband, Jonathan. Jessica Chastain seeks to be nominated for her work in the show, so it would only make sense to nominate her scene partner with her. The series wasn’t eligible for this year’s Emmys, but both stars were nominated for a Golden Globe for their performance. It will be interesting to see if that carries any weight when looking at SAG nominees.

Mare of Easttown was one of the most talked-about shows of 2021. Everyone was discussing every move of the show, especially the performances. The series won three Emmys for acting last year: Julianne Nicholson (supporting actress), Evan Peters (supporting actor) and Kate Winslet (lead actress). Since this category doesn’t consider only lead performances, Evan Peters could be a shoo-in for his role here. Peters missed out on a Golden Globe nod last month, but could that stop him from getting a SAG nom? Doubtful.

Another possibility for receiving a nomination is Clive Owen for his work in Impeachment: American Crime Story, playing former president Bill Clinton. Owen gets lost in his acting, becoming Clinton. The series hasn’t received as much hype and praise as the previous two installments, but it would be surprising if SAG-AFTRA completely shut out the series. Another actor who is a possibility for a nomination is Murray Bartlett of HBO’s hit series The White Lotus. Bartlett played the manager of the titular resort that affluent guests stay at (and drive him insane), and it’s a joy to watch. This would be his first individual SAG nomination, but it could happen.

A spoiler in the category could be Michael Keaton from Hulu’s Dopesick. a series that follows the opiod crisis from the center. The series, nor Keaton, has received too much buzz, but Keaton is a huge name. It’s been 13 years since Keaton was nominated in this category (for The Company), but could he do it again?

My predictions for the nominations for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series:

1. Evan Peters, Mare of Easttown
2. Ewan McGregor, Halston
3. Oscar Isaac, Scenes from a Marriage
4. Clive Owen, Impeachment: American Crime Story
5. Murray Bartlett, The White Lotus