Jacob Elordi, Michael B. Jordan, Amy Madigan, Cynthia Erivo, and more — every 2026 Oscars episode of The Awardist podcast

Plus, interviews with Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, jesse Plemons and Yorgos Lanthimos, Rose Byrne, "KPop Demon Hunters" stars Arden Cho and May Hong, and more — and awards season analysis.

By Gerrad Hall

Gerrad Hall is an editorial director at **, overseeing movie, awards, and music coverage. He is also host of *The Awardist* podcast, and has cohosted EW's live Oscars, Emmys, SAG, and Grammys red carpet shows. He has appeared on *Good Morning America*, *The Talk*, *Access Hollywood*, *Extra!*, and other talk shows, delivering the latest news on pop culture and entertainment.

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December 30, 2025 7:49 p.m. ET

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Amy Madigan; Michael B. Jordan; Jacob Elordi. Credit:

Eric Charbonneau/Warner Bros via Getty; Brianna Bryson/WireImage; Kristina Bumphrey/WWD via Getty

After a Fall Festival circuit that launched the campaigns for *Hamnet*, *Bugonia*, *Frankenstein*, *The Smashing Machine*, *The Testament of Ann Lee*, *The Secret Agent*, and more, we were off to the races. But *Sinners* emerged as the year's first true Oscar contender in April, both a box office and critical success. From the Cannes Film Festival, *Sentimental Value* emerged as a favorite, and it continued to build momentum during the fall. And then there was this summer's surprise hit, *Weapons*. Then came *One Battle After Another* and *Marty Supreme*.

The 2026 Oscars race has given us no shortage of topics to analyze, and the acting categories have been more in flux than in past years — we've been breaking it all down on *The Awardist* podcast. Plus, stars and directors of this year's contenders have joined me to discuss their films and look back on their careers, including *KPop Demon Hunters* voice stars Arden Cho and May Hong; *Weapons* star Amy Madigan; *Frankenstein*'s Creature, Jacob Elordi; *Sinners* writer-director Ryan Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan; *Wicked: For Good* star Cynthia Erivo, and *One Battle After Another* stars Chase Infiniti and Regina Hall.

Below, you can listen to each episode of the 2026 Oscars season of *The Awardist* podcast. And be sure to check back as new episodes go live every Thursday.*******Check out more from EW's *The Awardist*, featuring exclusive interviews, analysis, and our podcast diving into all the highlights from the year's best in TV, movies, and more.***

Sizing up One Battle After Another, Hamnet, and other early 2026 Oscar frontrunners — and can KPop Demon Hunters get a Best Picture nomination?

A new season of *The Awardist* kicks off with host Gerrad Hall, EW Sr. Writer Joey Nolfi, and Sr. Editor Joyce Eng breaking down all of the early action on the road to the 2026 Oscars. We're talking about early frontrunners — including Paul Thomas Anderson's *One Battle After Another*, led by Leonardo DiCaprio, to Chloé Zhao's *Hamnet* starring the one-to-beat Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal — the movies that gained the most out of the fall festival circuit, the big contenders still to come, and who might be a dark horse, including *KPop Demon Hunters*.**

*The Lost Bus *star America Ferrera, Timothée Chalamet’s big boost for Marty Supreme

Timothée Chalamet's *Marty Supreme* has a surprise world premiere this week at the New York Film Festival — is the reaction what he needed to boost his lead in the Best Actor race? *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall, EW Sr. Writer Joey Nolfi, and Sr. Editor Joyce Eng break down early chatter about his performance and what it'll mean for his chances. Plus, thoughts on *One Battle After Another* star Chase Infiniti leaping into the Best Actress category, and we dive into the Golden Globes' short list for Best Podcast, which includes some controversial political voices. And Gerrad chats with *The Lost Bus* star America Ferrera about the harrowing true story, about the bus driver and teacher who were trapped with 22 students during California's devastating 2018 Camp Fire.**

KPop Demon Hunters stars Arden Cho & May Hong, and remembering Diane Keaton

After becoming the biggest pop culture phenomenon of the year, breaking records on Netflix, and taking the Billboard charts by storm with the soundtrack, including the No. 1 hit "Golden," *KPop Demon Hunters* stars Arden Cho ('Rumi') and May Hong ('Mira') are looking back on their very first auditions for the movie, how they related to their demon-hunting/KPop girl-group characters, the movie's enormous success, what they hope to see from a sequel, and more. Plus, *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall and EW. Sr. Editor Joyce Eng chat about the shift in categories for *One Battle After Another* star Chase Infiniti, and we're celebrating the legacy of Hollywood legend Diane Keaton.**

Weapons star Amy Madigan on bringing Aunt Gladys to life, Miley Cyrus gets in the Oscar race

Could Amy Madigan go back to the Oscars 40 years after her first nomination, this time for playing the mysterious and kooky Aunt Gladys in the horror mystery *Weapons*? It's very possible! The actress joins *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall to look back on her experience in Zach Cregger's latest thriller and her career. Plus, Gerrad and EW Sr. Editor Joyce Eng chat about the Best Song race, including new contender Miley Cyrus, who has co-written and will perform the end credits song for *Avatar: Fire and Ash*.**

First Wicked: For Good reactions, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You star Rose Byrne

Rose Byrne plays a mother on the verge of a breakdown in *If I Had Legs I'd Kick You* — she breaks down her performance in the psychological dramedy, which is already picking up a lot of honors this awards season. Plus, *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall and EW senior editor Joyce Eng break down the Gotham Awards nominations, where *One Battle After Another* leads all nominees with six; we also analyze that movie's switch to the comedy/musical category at the Golden Globes and what it means for movies including *Wicked: For Good*. And Gerrad shares his reaction to that movie and whether stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande can go the distance at the Oscars.**

Frankenstein star Jacob Elordi, sizing up the Supporting Actor race

He's unrecognizable in *Frankenstein*, covered in prosthetics to play the Creature, but Jacob Elordi steals the show with his heartbreaking performance. He joins *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall to discuss what he considers his most personal work yet, teases *Euphoria* season 3, and looks back on the *Kissing Booth* movies and *Saltburn*. Plus, Gerrad shares a portion of his Q&A with *Frankenstein* star Oscar Isaac at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival. Elsewhere, Gerrad, EW Sr. Writer Joey Nolfi, and Sr. Editor Joyce Eng analyze the Supporting Actor category.**

*Die My Love *stars Jennifer Lawrence & Robert Pattinson, why Sydney Sweeney’s Christy flopped

After starring in their own huge franchises — *The Hunger Games* and *Twilight* — Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson now join forces to play a couple in the drama *Die My Love*. The two chat with *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall about the movie's love story and dark elements, and look back on those early blockbusters. Plus, Gerrad, EW Sr. Writer Joey Nolfi, and Sr. Editor Joyce Eng break down the poor box office performance of Sydney Sweeney's *Christy*, and discuss Tom Cruise's career and potential future Oscar chances ahead of receiving an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards.**

The Smashing Machine stars Dwayne Johnson & Emily Blunt, inside the Governors Awards

Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt do a deep dive with *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall on their new drama, *The Smashing Machine*, from his transformation into UFC pioneer Mark Kerr and his concerns about still being seen as the Rock to his character realizing he needed to go to rehab for his drug addiction and the personal place Johnson went for that scene, and Blunt's character Dawn trying to escape torment and their toxic relationship. The lively conversation also includes a look back at their first movie together, *Jungle Cruise*, Johnson revealing who he wanted to play in *The Devil Wears Prada 2*, and more. Plus, Gerrad, EW Sr. Writer Joey Nolfi, and Sr. Editor Joyce Eng discuss the new name for the SAG Awards, the Actor Awards, and Gerrad debriefs on the Governors Awards.**

Bugonia star Jesse Plemons and director Yorgos Lanthimos, Wicked: For Good dominates box office

*Bugonia* star Jesse Plemons does a deep dive on his conspiracy-theorist character and going toe-to-toe with Emma Stone, and director Yorgos Lanthimos explains what made this movie more complicated than his other recent projects. Plus, *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall and EW Sr. Editor Joyce Eng break down the huge opening weekend for *Wicked: For Good* and discuss the career of Eddie Murphy, who will be AFI's latest Life Achievement Award winner.**

Sinners star Michael B. Jordan and director Ryan Coogler, first reaction to Avatar: Fire and Ash

It was the first Oscar hopeful to debut in 2025 — *Sinners* is still a favorite and a strong contender for Best Picture, Director, and Actor nominations. Ryan Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan join *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall to chat about their fifth movie together, how Jordan playing twins complicated their process, what Coogler discovered about the movie by filming the end-credits scene on day one, and more. Plus, Gerrad and EW Sr. Editor Joyce Eng break down all of the latest awards action, from the Gothams and National Board of Review winners to the Spirit Award nominations. Plus, they reveal their thoughts on *Avatar: Fire and Ash*, and Miley Cyrus shares insight into how she wrote her original song for the movie.**

One Battle After Another stars Chase Infiniti & Regina Hall, Golden Globes snubs and surprises

Golden Globes voters have spoken — and now, so are we, breaking down the top film nominations, and especially the biggest snubs and surprises, from *Wicked: For Good* to Jacob Elordi. Plus, *One Battle After Another* star Chase Infiniti joins *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall to discuss her long audition process and having to shave Leonardo DiCaprio to help win the role, that scene with Sean Penn, and more, and then Gerrad chats with her costar Regina Hall about her incredible career and role in Paul Thomas Anderson's latest movie. **

Wicked: For Good star Cynthia Erivo, Oscar shortlists, remembering Rob Reiner

Golden Globe nominee Cynthia Erivo joins *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall to chat about her *Wicked: For Good *journey, whether she was really prepared for everything required of her physically for the role, filming the number "For Good" last-minute with Ariana Grande, the ‘sex cardigan,’ and more. Plus, Gerrad and EW Sr. Editor Joyce Eng analyze some of the Oscar shortlists, and we remember filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner, who died tragically over the weekend.**

Marty Supreme star Gwyneth Paltrow, thoughts on Oscars moving to YouTube

Gwyneth Paltrow hasn't made a movie in seven years, but she's back on the big screen in *Marty Supreme* — she tells *Awardist* host Gerrad Hall about how "petrified" she was, about building her character's backstory, what she loved about working with Timothée Chalamet, and more. Plus, we look back on her Oscar win for *Shakespeare in Love* and why it took her 25 years to come to terms with it, as well as *Glee*, and what she thinks Pepper Potts has been up to. And Gerrad and EW Sr. Editor Joyce Eng share their thoughts on the Academy's decision to move the Oscars from broadcast TV to YouTube starting in 2029, as well as Harrison Ford being announced as SAG-AFTRA's next Life Achievement Honoree.**

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