Wunmi Mosaku Feels She Can't Celebrate Oscar Nomination In 'Dystopian' Climate

Sinners actor Wunmi Mosaku has shared that she has complicated feelings about her recent Oscar nomination as a result of the current political climate.

The British actor recently bagged her first Academy Award nomination for her performance as Annie in Sinners, one of a record-breaking 16 nods for Ryan Coogler’s hit movie at the upcoming Oscars.

Speaking to The Times, Wunmi shared that she actually missed the live announcement of her nomination due to a mix-up involving timings.

“I heard my husband on the phone and asked him why he was up,” she recalled. “He said, ‘Baby, you just got nominated for an Oscar’. I said, ‘No, the announcement’s at 8.30am’.”

Wunmi continued: “I’ve not been able to celebrate because of what’s going on right now, with the killings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti by ICE agents in Minnesota and the kidnapping of a five-year-old boy.

“It’s difficult to hold both the nomination and the news because one feels beautiful and one is so dark and heavy; truly dystopian – how can I possibly go out and buy some drinks and enjoy the moment?”

Later this week, Wunmi is expected to attend the 2026 Baftas, where she’s also nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category alongside Marty Supreme’s Odessa A’zion, Sentimental Value’s Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, One Battle After Another’s Teyana Taylor and fellow Brits Emily Watson and Carey Mulligan for Hamnet and The Ballad Of Wallis Island, respectively.

She’s also in the running in the same category at the recently-renamed Actors Awards, which will take place on 1 March, ahead of the Oscars two weeks later.

Wunmi previously told The Root: “For Annie to be the role that I get my first [Oscar] nomination with [...] I’m so glad it was Sinners. I’m so glad it was Annie, I’m so grateful for this moment.”