HBO/Frank MasiWhile we may not know who is getting The Actor just yet, these actors are thrilled to be nominated all the same.
After nominees were announced Wednesday morning for the 2016 Screen Actors Guild Awards, Hollywood's esteemed group of actors and actresses took to social media to express their gratitude, shock and awe over their first nominations of the upcoming award season.
With a competitive class of silver and television screen legends, including three-time SAG winner Cate Blanchett and eight-time previous nominee Leonardo DiCaprio, the competition has reached a an all-time level of difficulty.
Still, a handful of newcomers were welcomed into the elite group of recognized stars, including Room's child protagonist, 9-year-old Jacob Tremblay and Mr Robot's Rami Malek. Despite the varying number of statues these men and women have acquired over the years, their gratitude was equally clear.
For SAG winner Queen Latifah, who garnered her fifth nomination today for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries, it was her honor to portray the legend Bessie Smith.
"It's such an honor to be nominated by my peers," she told E! News in a statement. "This movie was a labor of love and being recognized for my performance as Bessie Smith is really incredible."
Better Call Saul's Bob Odenkirk was another one of the first people to respond to his nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series, offering humble remarks in a statement.
"I am thrilled to be nominated by my fellow actors, and I give all credit to Mckean, Banks, Seahorn, and the amazing cast around me, raising my game. Thanks!" he said.
This is the actor's first nomination for his individual performance. He has been nominated three times before as part of the ensemble for Breaking Bad, finally winning The Actor last year.
Similarly, Ellie Kemper is celebrating her first individual SAG Award nomination for her hysterical role as Kimmy Schmidt in the hit Netflix series, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
"I'm so honored to be recognized by my peers in this way, and to be included in such an exceptional group of women," she said in a statement. "I want to thank Tina Fey, Robert Carlock, Tituss Burgess, Jane Krakowski, and Carol Kane for making this show."
This is the first SAG Award nomination for The Danish Girl's 27-year-old Alicia Vikander, who leads the film alongside Eddie Redmayne, who became a SAG Award winner last year.
"Thank you to the Screen Actors Guild for this nomination and for recognizing my work in The Danish Girl—it's an honor to be among the incredible actresses in this category," Vikander said in a statement regarding her Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role nomination. Vikander will be competing against Kate Winslet, Hellen Mirren, Rachel McAdams and Rooney Mara to take home the award.
"I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to bring this poignant and courageous love story to the screen. I share this with the extraordinary Eddie Redmayne, the cast and crew, and, of course, our director Tom Hooper for making it all possible."
Ever the jokester, six-time winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus offered up a funny quip about the news that both she and the television hit Veep had received nominations for a SAG Award.
"So excited and thrilled for our happy group of idiot actors," she said in a statement.
As for 26-year-old Brie Larson, this day marks the first SAG Award nomination of her career—she was understandably very excited about it.
"Screen Actors Guild...thank you!! I'm so overwhelmed with happiness," she said in a statement. "This is a HUGE honor, made even more special because I'll get to share the evening with Jacob. Best date EVER!"
Tremblay shared Larson's sentiment in his own reaction to his first-time nomination.
"I am celebrating my SAG nomination with my family in Dubai," he said in a statement. "We're having ice cream sundaes tonight! Everything about Room was amazing, especially working with Brie and becoming best buddies. I can't believe it, so cool!"
Returning after a three year hiatus, three-time SAG Award winner Kate Winslet add a fourth statue to her collection this year with her nomination for her supporting role as Joanna Hoffman in Steve Jobs.
"This makes me very very happy," she said in a statement. "I am truly thrilled to be nominated for a SAG award this year."
Idris Elba, who celebrated his first individual nomination for the coveted award after receiving an ensemble nomination for American Gangster in 2007, is seemingly ecstatic about the momentous occasion.
"Wow I'm just floored and humbled right now. It's such a huge honor to be recognized by my friends and peers and for two projects that have really been such an important part of my life, "Luther" and Beasts of No Nation," he said in a statement. "It goes without saying that my performance is shared with the tremendous actors I work with. Congratulations to Abraham Attah, Kurt Egyiawan and the rest of the amazing cast from BEASTS!"
On a roll from her recent Emmy Award win, Orange Is the New Black's Uzo Aduba was a team player while expressing her thanks.
"Thank you @SAGawards for recognizing the cast of @OITNB & myself with this nomination," she tweeted. "Means so much to us to tell this story. #TeamOrange."
House of Cards' iconic lead actor Kevin Spacey also shared his reaction to his "Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series" nomination—one that he has garnered for the last three years in a row as Frank Underwood on the hit Netflix series.
"Congrats to my fellow nominees in Best Actor category and thanks to the SAG membership for my nomination!" he tweeted. "Thrilled to be nom'd alongside #PeterDinklage#JonHamm@ItsRamiMalek & @mrbobodenkirk in B.A. Drama category!...To my better half on #HouseofCards Congrats @RealRobinWright for #sagawardsnoms & everyone at #HOC for Best Ensemble!"
Saoirse Ronan also celebrated her first individual nomination for Female Actor in a Lead Role today for her performance in the romance Brooklyn, which she described as a labor of love.
"This film has been such a wonderful and personal journey. I think it hits so close to home for many people, making the incredible response so special," she said in a statement. "I'm honored to be nominated by SAG not only because they are my peers, but also because I'm overwhelmed to be recognized alongside actors whose work I admire so much. I've been lucky enough to be a working actor for almost 10 years and the mere fact that people can finally pronounce my name is pretty exciting! I share this with the whole Brooklyn family."
Redmayne, who has been hailed for his performance in The Danish Girl since its release in late November, needed an expletive to express her gratitude for the honor.
"It means a great deal to be recognised by my peers during such a wonderful year of filmmaking. The Danish Girl took a long while to get made and I am damn lucky that I ended up having the honour of helping bring Lili and Gerda's story to the screen," he said in a statement. "I am hugely grateful to Tom Hooper, Alicia Vikander, and our incredible cast for this truly unique collaboration. I certainly wouldn't have been able to play Lili were it not for the generosity of the trans women and men who helped me prepare for this role; I am indebted to all of them and the community. My thanks to SAG-AFTRA members for this nomination."
Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville spoke on behalf of his cast and co-star while giving thanks for the show's third ensemble SAG Award nomination.
"The cast of Downton Abbey are thrilled to have received this nomination," he said in a statement. "The show is a true ensemble and for our team effort to have been recognised by our peers in the Screen Actors Guild makes it particularly special. We salute SAG, our fellow nominees and of course Dame Maggie for her richly deserved umpteenth individual nomination!"
It's true—Maggie Smith has already earned 10 nominations and four Actor statues.
As for Christina Ricci, who portrayed Lizzie Borden in The Lizzie Borden Chronicles on Lifetime, echoed the sentiments of her fellow actors with sincere thanks for her first nomination.
"Thank you to the Screen Actors Guild for this nomination recognizing my performance," she said in a statement. "I'm thrilled and honored to be included among such talented actresses. I am very grateful and happy to share this honor with our wonderful cast and crew."
As the most nominated actor in SAG Award history, The Sopranos alum Edie Falco rang in her 22nd SAG Award nomination for the her lead role of Jackie Peyton for the final season of the former television series Nurse Jackie.
"There are so many exciting new actors working lately on groundbreaking new shows; it's thrilling to be included in the mix," she said in a statement.
Sarah Silverman wished one special person could hear the news today of her first-time nominee for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for I Smile Back.
"I am honestly in shock and just tickled pink that this happened," she said in a statement. "My first thought was that I can't believe my Mom isn't here to see this. I wish I believed she is somewhere seeing it. Maybe for today, I will."
99 Homes nominee Michael Shannon celebrated the several decades he's spent as a member of the Screen Actors Guild.
"It's very meaningful to be honored with the respect of my peers," he said in a statement. "I love the Guild—I've been a member for 23 years, and I've felt lucky every one of those years to be a part of it."
In arguably his most transformative role to date, DiCaprio garnered his ninth SAG Award nomination and shared his gratitude to all those he worked with along the way.
"To be recognized by your peers is one of the greatest honors an actor can receive. We were a team, and everyone involved with this project deserves to share in this nomination," he said in a statement. "Making The Revenant was an incredible experience, and throughout my career I have had the privilege of working with some of the most talented directors and actors. I never miss an opportunity to learn from those I have been fortunate to work with, and this was no exception. We are all thankful to Alejandro for letting us be a part of this unique and unforgettable cinematic experience. Thank you SAG-AFTRA."
Perhaps this will finally be the year he wins himself an Actor statuette.