Kristen Bell Makes History with Third SAG Awards Hosting Role
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has officially announced that Kristen Bell will return to host the SAG Actor Awards for an unprecedented third time. The ceremony is scheduled for 1 March 2026 and will be streamed live on Netflix from the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles.
A Familiar Face Returns to the Stage
Bell, who made history as the inaugural host in 2018 and returned for the 2025 ceremony, expressed her delight at being asked back. "I've enjoyed hosting the show every time, so it was an easy decision to come back for a third," she said. "What I'm most excited for is the fact that I'll be doing what every actor does best ... sing." Her return breaks with the tradition of the awards often proceeding without a dedicated presenter.
Jon Brockett, the showrunner and executive producer, warmly welcomed her back, stating: "Having Kristen return to host feels like welcoming back a member of the family. One you actually want to hang out with."
Film and Television Nominations Announced
In the film categories, One Battle After Another leads with seven nominations, including for the prestigious best ensemble award. It faces competition from Sinners, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, and Frankenstein for the guild's top honour.
However, the nominations were not without notable omissions. While Ariana Grande received a supporting actress nod for Wicked: For Good, Cynthia Erivo was overlooked for her lead performance as Elphaba Thropp. Dwayne Johnson was not recognised for The Smashing Machine, and neither George Clooney nor Adam Sandler secured nominations for Jay Kelly. Additionally, no performances from foreign-language films were nominated, meaning acclaimed works like the Norwegian drama Sentimental Value and Brazilian thriller The Secret Agent were excluded, despite Wagner Moura winning best actor at Cannes for the latter.
In television, the Hollywood comedy The Studio tops the list with five nominations. Netflix's eerie crime drama Adolescence and Mike White's popular series The White Lotus each garnered four nods.
Bell's Career and Ceremony Highlights
The 45-year-old actress and producer boasts an impressive resume, including starring roles in The Good Place, Veronica Mars, and Parks & Recreation. Her film credits span the Frozen franchise, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and Bad Moms. Bell also serves as an executive producer on the Netflix hit Nobody Wants This, which aired its second season in 2025 and has been renewed for a third.
Adding to the ceremony's prestige, legendary actor Harrison Ford is set to receive the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award during the event, honouring his remarkable contributions to the industry.
As the entertainment world prepares for this significant night, Bell's return promises a blend of familiarity and fresh excitement, ensuring the 2026 SAG Awards will be a memorable celebration of acting excellence.
