Hidden Figures surprise big winner at SAGs

The film, which tells the true story of three black female mathematicians who helped NASA during the 1960s space race, was named best cast at the Los Angeles ceremony.

The category is the SAG equivalent of the Oscar’s best picture and the win puts it firmly in contention for the Academy Award prize next month.

The movie edged out front runners Manchester By The Sea and Moonlight to claim the night’s top gong.

One of Hidden Figures’ stars, Taraji P Henson, said: “This story is about what happens when we put our differences aside and we come together.

“Thank you for appreciating these women, they are hidden figures no more.”

Oscar favourite La La Land was not in the running in the SAG best cast category but one of its two leading stars Emma Stone was named best actress.

Her co-star Ryan Gosling missed out in the best actor category to Denzel Washington who won for Fences, a film based on a stage play about blue-collar African-Americans.

Another surprise winner was Netflix’s Stranger Things which was voted best ensemble in a TV drama series.

Meanwhile, there was success for Netflix royal drama The Crown, with British star Claire Foy being named best actress in a drama series while co-star John Lithgow scooped the actor prize.

In the comedy series sections, Shameless’ William H Macy was best actor, with Veep star Julia Louis-Dreyfus best actress.

And Sky Atlantic’s fantasy drama Game Of Thrones won for outstanding action performance by a stunt ensemble in a comedy or drama series.

The ceremony was dominated by criticism of President Donald Trump’s travel ban against refugees and citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries.

The SAGs are voted for by about 120,000 US actors.

And some winners often go on to be successful at the Academy Awards as actors comprise the largest section of Oscar voters.