Casting directors will finally have a dedicated category at the 2026 Oscars! For the first time, the Academy will honor the art of finding the perfect actor for every role.

While it’s still early, experts are already debating who will take home the inaugural statue. Leading the field is Francine Maisler for the epic Sinners, which earned a record-breaking 16 nominations. However, she faces stiff competition from Gabriel Domingues, whose immersive casting of Brazilian non-actors in The Secret Agent has become a critical favorite. The mix also includes legendary names like Nina Gold (Hamnet).

What do you think about the Oscar for Casting? Long overdue or why bother?