Oscars 2026: Stellan Skarsgård Makes History As First Supporting Actor Nominee for An International Film

Stellan

Skarsgård has etched his name intoOscar history with a nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value. The recognition is a noteworthy one, as it marks the first time in the Oscars’ 97-year existence that an actor has been nominated in this category for a performance in an international, non-English-language film. The nomination also represents Skarsgård’s first-ever Oscar recognition, a key moment in his career that has spanned decades across European and Hollywood cinema. He now finds himself among a strong list of contenders in the Best Supporting Actor race, including Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein), Benicio Del Toro (One Battle After Another), Sean Penn, and Delroy Lindi (Sinners).

Oscars 2026: Stellan Skarsgård’s Sentimental Value Earns Historic Nomination

Helmed by claimed Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier, Sentimental Value is an intimate family drama that follows sisters Nora and Agnes as they reconnect with their estranged father, a once-well-known director seeking a revival of his career. When he offers Nora a pivotal role in his comeback project, long-buried emotions and conflicts resurface, bringing themes of memory, ambition, and familial legacy into the plot. Skarsgård’s nuanced portrayal of the flawed, aging filmmaker has drawn widespread acclaim for its emotional depth and vulnerability.

While several actors have previously received nominations—or wins—for non-English roles in Hollywood-backed films, Skarsgård’s nomination marks a big shift. Past actors whose work got a nomination include John Mills (Ryan’s Daughter), Robert De Niro (The Godfather Part II), Graham Greene (Dances With Wolves), Benicio Del Toro (Traffic), and Troy Kotsur (CODA). However, unlike those titles, Sentimental Value is a fully international production, making its recognition particularly significant.Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas and Elle Fanning have both secured nominations in the Best Supporting Actress category, while Renate Reinsve earned a nod for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Additionally, Sentimental Value is in contention for Best International Feature Film, competing against It Was Just an Accident, Sirát, and The Voice of Hind Rijab.With the 98th Academy Awards set to take place on March 15, Sentimental Value has emerged as one of the prominent international films of the year, marking a landmark moment for Skarsgård.