Good news for Danielle Deadwyler fans. The Atlanta native was snubbed for her celebrated performance in 2022’s “Till,” but that likely won’t happen this season. Assuming enough members watch “The Piano Lesson” – a major assumption – Deadwyler may be the safest nominee in a Supporting Actress Oscars class that is more wide open than it might initially seem. And there is a familiar reason why.
READ MORE: Best Actor Oscars 2025 Predictions and ContendersAs we noted in our Best Actress rundown, “Emilia Perez’s” Zoe Saldana‘s inclusion in this category is fluid. This is the race Netflix will campaign her in, and she should get a slew of nominations in the equivalent SAG Awards, Golden Globes, Critics Choice, and, we assume, BAFTA Awards fields. Whether The Academy’s acting branch will agree – and this concern is just a red herring – or place her in Outstanding Lead Actress by their votes remains to be seen.
The other contender who is likely a safe pick is former Best Actress nominee Felicity Jones. Her performance in “The Brutalist” is a standout and, like her co-star Adrien Brody, should be appreciated by her peers. Then things get super interesting.
There is the heart of “Nickel Boys,” Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, a nominee in this category just three years ago. Saoirse Ronan and Monica Barbaro should be in the mix for “Blitz” and “A Complete Uknown,” respectively. Despite less dialogue than you’d expect, Isabella Rossellini has a memorable scene-stealing turn in “Conclave.” “His Three Daughters” stars Natasha Lyonne, Carrie Coon, and Elizabeth Olsen have a shot if they don’t end up canceling each other out. Selena Gomez could also make it. Especially if her “Perez” co-star, Saldana, lands in Lead Actress.
Do not sleep on “The Last Showgirl’s” Jamie Lee Curtis (she’s better in this indie drama than “Everything Everywhere All At Once” and is an awards campaign force), “September 5” stand-out Leonie Benesch, and former nominee Maria Bakalova who is arguably the best performance in “The Apprentice.” [Posted April 7]
Frontrunners
Danielle Deadwyler, “The Piano Lesson”
Zoe Saldana, “Emilia Perez”**
Felicity Jones, “The Brutalist”
Almost There
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, “Nickel Boys”
Natasha Lyonne, “His Three Daughters”
Monica Barbaro, “A Complete Unknown”*
Saoirse Ronan, “Blitz”
Isabella Rossellini, “Conclave”
Carrie Coon, “His Three Daughters”
Elizabeth Olsen, “His Three Daughters”
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Possible
Selena Gomez, “Emilia Perez”
Leonie Benesch, “September 5”
Jamie Lee Curtis, “The Last Showgirl”
Maria Bakalova, “The Apprentice”
Ariana Grande, “Wicked”*
Carol Kane, “Between The Temples”
Joan Chen, “Didi”
Margaret Qualley, “The Substance”
Longshots
Dolly De Leon, “Ghostlight”
Cailee Spaeny, “Civil War”
Rebecca Furgeson, “Dune Pt. II”
Jennifer Lopez, “Unstoppable”
*Not screened for industry or media by publication
** Potential AMPAS branch category vote