Breaking Barriers: Black and Latinx Talent Shine at 2026 Golden Globe Nominations
Wagner Moura Makes History
Brazilian actor Wagner Moura has become the first Brazilian man ever nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama at the Golden Globes, marking a watershed moment for Latin American representation in Hollywood's most prestigious awards.
Nominated for his commanding performance in The Secret Agent, directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, Moura joins an increasingly international field that reflects the Golden Globes' expanding recognition of global talent. His nomination follows his historic win from the New York Film Critics Circle, where he became the first Latino actor to win the best actor prize. He also became the first Brazilian Male Actor to be nominated for best actor firming up his spot for the final five come Oscar night.
A Banner Year for Representation
The 83rd Annual Golden Globe nominations, announced December 8, 2025, showcase an unprecedented level of diversity and recognition for Black and Latinx performers across both film and television categories. From breakthrough debuts to industry veterans, this year's nominees represent the full spectrum of storytelling excellence.
Cynthia Erivo Makes Golden Globes History
Cynthia Erivo has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first Black woman nominated twice in the Best Actress (Musical or Comedy) category. Her nomination for Wicked: For Good follows her 2025 nomination for the original Wicked, where she brought the complex character of Elphaba to life with her signature powerhouse vocals and emotional depth.
Before Erivo's groundbreaking achievement, only 12 Black women had ever been nominated in this category since the Golden Globes' inception, with Angela Bassett being the sole winner to date for her iconic portrayal of Tina Turner in 1994's What's Love Got to Do With It.
Film Nominations: Excellence Across Categories
Best Actor – Drama
Wagner Moura – The Secret Agent
In this political thriller set during Brazil's military dictatorship, Moura delivers what critics are calling the performance of his career. The film reunites him with acclaimed director Kleber Mendonça Filho and premiered at Cannes, where Moura won the Best Actor prize.
Michael B. Jordan – Sinners
Jordan stars in Ryan Coogler's vampire film set in the segregated South, a project that earned seven nominations total including Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director for Coogler.
Best Actress – Comedy or Musical
Cynthia Erivo – Wicked: For Good
Chase Infiniti – One Battle After Another
Infiniti earned recognition in Paul Thomas Anderson's political thriller, which dominated the nominations with nine total nods.
Best Supporting Actress
Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another
The multi-hyphenate artist continues to prove her dramatic range, earning her first Golden Globe nomination for her work in Anderson's critically acclaimed film.
Ariana Grande – Wicked: For Good
Grande and Erivo made history as the first two actors from the same film to be nominated twice for their respective roles, with Grande earning consecutive nominations for her portrayal of Glinda.
Best Supporting Actor
Benicio Del Toro – One Battle After Another
The Oscar-winning Puerto Rican actor adds another prestigious nomination to his illustrious career.
Best Original Song
"I Lied to You" from Sinners
Music by Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Göransson, bringing soul and R&B excellence to the awards conversation.
Television Nominations: Powerful Performances on the Small Screen
Best Actor – Drama Series
Sterling K. Brown – Paradise
The Emmy winner continues his reign of excellence with a nomination that adds to his already impressive awards collection.
Best Actress – Comedy Series
Ayo Edebiri – The Bear
Selena Gomez – Only Murders in the Building
Warner Bros. Leads the Way in Representation
Warner Bros. Pictures has emerged as a powerhouse of diverse storytelling, with significant nominations across multiple projects:
One Battle After Another (9 nominations) – Leading all films with recognition for its diverse ensemble cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Chase Infiniti, Teyana Taylor, Sean Penn, and Benicio Del Toro
Sinners (7 nominations) – Ryan Coogler's vampire thriller starring Michael B. Jordan, earning recognition for Best Motion Picture – Drama
Weapons – Nominated for Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, with Amy Madigan earning a Supporting Actress nod
Combined with HBO's nominations for The White Lotus (6 nominations), Warner Bros. and its HBO division received 31 total nominations, second only to Netflix's 35. This represents a significant investment in and commitment to diverse voices both in front of and behind the camera.
The Broader Context: Latin American Cinema's Surge
Wagner Moura's historic nomination arrives during what many are calling a renaissance for Latin American cinema in awards season. Brazil's official Oscar submission, The Secret Agent, earned additional nominations for Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Non-English Language Film.
This follows last year's breakthrough by Fernanda Torres, who won the Golden Globe for I'm Still Here and went on to earn an Oscar nomination. The momentum suggests a long-overdue reckoning with the wealth of talent emerging from Latin America.
The Golden Globes has also announced it will host an event celebrating Brazilian film and television talent in Rio de Janeiro in March 2026, signaling continued commitment to international recognition.
Looking Ahead
As the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards approaches on January 11, 2026, these nominations set the stage for what promises to be a transformative awards season. The recognition of Wagner Moura, Cynthia Erivo, Michael B. Jordan, Teyana Taylor, and numerous other Black and Latinx performers reflects not just individual excellence, but a broader shift in Hollywood's recognition of diverse voices and stories.
Warner Bros.' leadership in championing these projects—from Paul Thomas Anderson's ambitious One Battle After Another to Ryan Coogler's genre-bending Sinners—demonstrates that representation and commercial viability are not mutually exclusive. These films have captured both critical acclaim and audience attention, proving that diverse stories resonate universally.
"The 2026 Golden Globe nominations represent more than just individual achievements—they signal a fundamental shift in how Hollywood recognizes and celebrates global talent. Wagner Moura's historic nomination, Cynthia Erivo's groundbreaking repeat recognition, and the breadth of Black and Latinx nominees across categories all point to an industry finally beginning to reflect the world's diversity."
The ceremony will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT, with Nikki Glaser returning as host.