SAG Winner Predictions: Best Female Actor in a Leading Role

The competition: Emily Blunt’s magical nanny (Mary Poppins Returns), Glenn Close’s loyal spouse (The Wife), Olivia Colman’s manipulated monarch (The Favourite), Lady Gaga’s musical newcomer (A Star is Born), Melissa McCarthy’s professional forger (Can You Ever Forgive Me?)

For your information: Close was nominated in 2011 for “Albert Nobbs,” four times for her TV role on “Damages,” along with three other TV bids, one of which resulted in a win, for “The Lion in Winter” in 2004. McCarthy was nominated in 2011 both individually and as part of the ensemble in “Bridesmaids.” Blunt was nominated in 2016 for “The Girl on the Train” and also contends in the supporting actress category this year, though she is the only one in this race not nominated for an Oscar. This is the first nomination for both Colman and Gaga. Only Gaga is nominated as part of her ensemble. Colman and Close won Golden Globes, while Gaga and Close tied for the Critics’ Choice Award. All but six times since the SAG Awards’ inception in 1994, the winner of this award has gone on to win the corresponding Oscar.

Who should win? This is a great list. Blunt played her role well, and Close and McCarthy were both engaging. I’m all for Gaga, but I think I’d choose Colman.

Who will win? I think it’s safe to say Close though it could just as easily be Gaga or Colman.