Cillian Murphy one step closer to Oscars glory after picking up another award

Simon Kelly

“I know I am part of something truly wonderful”.

Cillian Murphy is one step closer to his first Oscar, as the Oppenheimer star picked up the award for Best Actor at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards ceremony this weekend.

The Cork actor has had nearly a clean sweep this awards season, also picking up the top prize at the BAFTAs and Golden Globes.

Now, with the Oscars just two weeks away, it’s looking more clear that Murphy’s awards success indicates who will come out on top for the highly-coveted award next month.

Cillian Murphy one step closer to Oscars glory after picking up another award

During his acceptance speech at the 30th SAG awards, which followed the longest actor’s strike in history, Murphy said that the award was “extremely, extremely special to me, because it comes from you guys.”

The awards are voted on by members of the SAG-AFTRA union and are usually seen as an indicator of Oscars success.

“Twenty-eight years ago when I was trying to become an actor, I was a failed musician and I felt extremely like an interloper,” Murphy continued.

“But now looking out at you guys here today, I know I am part of something truly wonderful, so thank you.”

The 2024 Best Actor race so far

Golden Globes: Cillian Murphy & Paul Giamatti

Critics Choice: Paul Giamatti

BAFTA: Cillian Murphy

SAG: Cillian Murphy pic.twitter.com/CwBDSxtrAd

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) February 25, 2024

Among the other nominees alongside Murphy on the night were Colman Domingo (Rustin), Bradley Cooper (Maestro), Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers) and Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction).

Murphy now looks to be out in front as favourite for the Oscar, with Giamatti closely behind for his memorable performance as professor Paul Hunham in The Holdovers.

Oppenheimer received great success on the night, with Murphy’s co-star Robert Downey Jr winning Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture.

The film also won the award for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture, which Kenneth Branagh described as a “full circle moment” following the actors’ strikes.

“When we were all last together, it was at the premiere of this film on July 14 when the strike was just about to begin, led by our fearless leader, the great Cillian Murphy.

“We went from the red carpet and we didn’t see the film that night. We happily went in the direction of solidarity with your good selves. So this is a full circle moment for us.”

Other notable winners on the night included Lily Gladstone winning Best Actress (motion picture) for her role in Killers of the Flower Moon and Da’Vine Joy Randolph winning Best Supporting Actress (motion picture) her The Holdovers.

Big winners on the TV side of things were Succession (Best Drama ensemble) and The Bear (Best Comedy ensemble)