Wagner Moura Makes History as First Brazilian Male Best Actor Critics Choice Nominee
Brazilian superstar Wagner Moura has made history by becoming the first male actor from Brazil to be nominated for the Critics Choice for Best Actor. He secured the nomination for his critically acclaimed lead performance in Kleber Mendonça Filho's political thriller, The Secret Agent.
Moura, widely known internationally for his Golden Globe-nominated role as Pablo Escobar in Narcos, is now a leading contender in the 2026 Oscar race.
"The Secret Agent" and a Critics' Sweep The Secret Agent (originally titled O Agente Secreto), which is Brazil's official submission for the Best International Feature Oscar, has been a hit with critics since its premiere. Moura's intense, layered performance has already won him Best Actor awards at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, the New York Film Critics Circle, and the Zurich Film Festival, making him a powerful frontrunner for the Oscar statuette.
A Double Nominee for "Dope Thief"
In addition to his historic Best Actor film nomination, Moura has also achieved the rare feat of becoming a double nominee this awards season for his television work. He earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series from the Critics Choice Awards for his role as Manny in the Apple TV+ crime series Dope Thief
.
The Apple TV+ series, which also stars Brian Tyree Henry, follows two men who pose as DEA agents to rob drug dealers.
Bringing Brazil to the Forefront
Moura has long emphasized the importance of bringing his home country to the global stage. In previous interviews, he noted that "the more connected to my roots I am... the better artist I become," a sentiment reinforced by his return to his native Portuguese language for
The Secret Agent after a decade of working in Spanish and English projects like Civil War.
This dual recognition solidifies Wagner Moura's standing as one of Latin America's most charismatic and versatile actors, bringing immense pride to the Brazilian film industry this awards season.