Best Supporting Actress Nominees:
Mary J. Blige, “Mudbound”
Allison Janney, “I, Tonya”
Lesley Manville, “Phantom Thread”
Laurie Metcalf, “Lady Bird”
Octavia Spencer, “The Shape of Water”
Analysis:
Fresh Faces:
Four of the five nominees are first timers: Mary J. Blige, Allison Janney, Lesley Manville, and Laurie Netcalf.
This is the third nomination, all in the secondary league, for Octavia Spencer, who had earned the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2011 for “The Help.”
African American
It’s one of the few years in which two of the five nominees are African American.
It may or may not be a coincidence that most of the nominees lay mothers.
Three of the nominees appear in films that are nominated for the Best Picture.
Two of the five films have been directed by women: Lady Bird and Mudbound.
Ages:
The youngest nominee this year is Octavia Spencer, who is 40; the oldest is Laurie Metcalf, who’s 62.
In general, the nominees are vet actresses (some better known for their work in the theater and/or TV) or in music (Mary J. Bligh):
Mary J. Bligh is 46
Allison Janney is 58
Lesley Manville is 61
Prediction:
Playing the flashiest role, Allison Janney is likely to take the gold home after winning the Best Supporting Actress Award from SAG and a Golden Globe.