Ryan Coogler’s Sinners made history at the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards, becoming the first film to win the Critics Choice Award for Best Casting.
Accepting on behalf of the cast, Delroy Lindo urged the room to pause and fully recognize what Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan have accomplished together.
“What they’ve shared with us is extraordinary,” Lindo said, noting that both men have achieved a level of creative and critical success before the age of 40. While he omitted to mention that it was two Black men behind this feat — mirroring the entrepreneurial spirit of twin brothers Smoke and Stake in the film — the notion was implied. Sinners also won Best Score.
Breakout star and EBONY Power 100 awardee Miles Caton won Best Young Actor/Actress for his life-changing performance as naive musician Sammie Moore in Sinners, marking his first major award win of 2026. In his acceptance speech, Caton thanked Coogler and the film’s creative team for taking a chance on him, joking about the “poorly lit audition video” that led to what has now become an award-winning debut role.
Supporting Wins Across TV Drama and Comedies
Abbott Elementary star Janelle James won the Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category. Noting it was her fourth nomination, she revealed that they never feed guests at the ceremony, but earning her first Critics Choice statuette made up for it.
Tramell Tillman continued his winning streak, taking home the Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his work in Severance. The actor, who had presented earlier in the ceremony and joked that the awards were now named after him and his co-presenter Jessica Williams, kept his acceptance speech short and sweet, stating, “This is truly an honor.”