Key Takeaways
- The SAG Awards have officially been renamed The Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA.
- The rebrand aims to better communicate the ceremony’s purpose to global audiences.
- Rules, eligibility, and voting remain unchanged for the 2025 awards season.
- The next Actor Awards ceremony airs March 1 on Netflix—just two weeks before the Oscars.
The Actor Awards: A New Era for SAG-AFTRA’s Signature Ceremony
The Screen Actors Guild Awards—long recognized as one of the most influential precursors to the Oscars—has officially rebranded as The Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA, or simply The Actor Awards.
SAG-AFTRA announced the change to help global audiences better understand the show’s focus: actors celebrating actors. As the Guild explained, the new name “provides clearer recognition in terms of what the show is about for our domestic and global audiences.”
With Netflix broadcasting the ceremony to more than 190 countries, the rebrand reflects the show’s expanding international reach and its ongoing evolution within the awards landscape.
Why the SAG Awards Are Becoming The Actor Awards
SAG-AFTRA shared that the new name comes directly from the ceremony’s iconic statuette: “The Actor.”
The shift highlights what makes the show unique—performers honoring their fellow performers.
According to the Guild, the rebrand will:
- Strengthen global recognition
- Clarify the ceremony’s purpose
- Modernize the awards for a rapidly expanding international audience
Despite the rename, the Guild confirmed that:
- Voting, submissions, and eligibility rules remain unchanged.
- “For Your Consideration” materials will continue using the Screen Actors Guild Awards name until the pre-nomination voting period ends on January 5.
Industry Voices Support the Rebrand
Showrunner and executive producer Jon Brockett emphasized the significance of the new identity:
“Since the beginning, our statue has been called ‘The Actor’ and we’re a show that’s entirely about actors, so this new name is a perfect next step in the show’s evolution.”
He added that the simplified branding helps audiences across 190+ countries immediately understand what the ceremony stands for.
Actor Awards committee chair JoBeth Williams echoed this sentiment:
“Actors voting for actors allows us to understand innately the work that goes into a performance. The Actor Awards makes that crystal clear to audiences everywhere.”
Why This Rebrand Matters for the Entertainment Industry
The Actor Awards, like the SAG Awards before it, remains a critical bellwether heading into the Academy Awards.
Because Oscar voters closely track the SAG acting categories, winners at The Actor Awards often predict winners at the Oscars—especially in the lead and supporting performance races.
This aligns with recent awards-season patterns, where SAG winners have frequently gone on to claim Oscar gold.
With the ceremony now hosted on Netflix, the show’s reach continues to grow. The streamer’s global audience has turned the event into one of the most accessible awards ceremonies in the world, raising both visibility and influence for performers.
When to Watch the 2025 Actor Awards
The next Actor Awards ceremony will take place on:
March 1, 2025
Streaming live on Netflix worldwide
This timing places it just two weeks before the Oscars, heightening its relevance during the most critical stretch of awards season.
What This Means for Actors, Creators, and Fans
The rebrand signals SAG-AFTRA’s commitment to:
- Spotlighting actors
- Celebrating the craft of performance
- Connecting with an increasingly global audience
For actors pursuing awards-season momentum, the ceremony remains one of the most influential stages in the industry. For fans, it provides a front-row seat to the year’s standout performances—honored by the people who understand the craft best.
