Just like the Best Actress race, the Best Supporting Actress race already has what I consider to be two almost surefire nominees. And just like the Best Actress race one has been seen and the other has only been talked about as Oprah Winfrey already has her supporters for her performance in Lee Daniels’ The Butler while Meryl Streep‘s Oscar chances are typically looked at as a given any time she’s in a film. Considering this time we’re talking about an adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony award-winning play August: Osage County you better believe the buzz will be there.
Of course, that could all change in a flash. Below these two is a long list of names (28 more by my count) vying for a spot in that top five.
Currently my top three is rounded out by Lupita Nyong’o in Steven McQueen‘s 12 Years a Slave, Carey Mulligan in Inside Llewyn Davis and a second Osage County member, Margo Martindale.
The latter two I don’t have as much confidence in, but after seeing Mulligan in Davis I think she has a legitimate shot at a nomination. It’s a performance we haven’t come to expect from her and an integral part of the film. As for Martindale, can one film support two nominations with the field that follows? I’m not too sure, but I’m going with it for now.
Beyond the top five I’ve moved a lot of pieces around the board as well as added four new contenders in Léa Seydoux (Blue is the Warmest Color), Emily Watson (The Book Thief) and both Amy Adams and Rooney Mara for Her. I also remembered I need to add Rooney Mara to my Best Actress field for her role in Side Effects. No, I don’t particularly believe she has a chance in that category, but she shouldn’t be forgotten.
All things said, here again is my current Best Actress top five. My full list of contenders is up to 30 in this category and you can browse the full field and their rankings right here.
- Oprah Winfrey (Lee Daniels’ The Butler)
- Meryl Streep (August: Osage County)
- Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave)
- Carey Mulligan (Inside Llewyn Davis)
- Margo Martindale (August: Osage County)
