Michael B Jordan has shaken up this year’s Oscars race after securing a surprise best actor victory at the Actor Awards, formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Jordan was honoured for his performance in vampire horror film Sinners, which also clinched the night’s top prize for best ensemble cast. The unexpected win gives the actor renewed momentum just weeks ahead of the Academy Awards scheduled for March 15.

“I wasn’t expecting this at all,” Jordan said while accepting the award, expressing gratitude to his co-stars, director and family. He paid tribute to his mother Donna for supporting his acting ambitions from an early age and thanked director Ryan Coogler along with the film’s cast and crew.

Co-star Delroy Lindo described making the film as an “incredible journey,” saying the cast brought “our hearts and souls” to the project.

The awards came a week after the Bafta Film Awards, where Jordan and Lindo were commended for their composure following an on-stage disruption. Lindo later thanked supporters at the NAACP Image Awards, calling the response overwhelmingly positive.

Other film winners included Sean Penn for One Battle After Another and Jessie Buckley for Hamnet, continuing her dominant run in the best actress category this season. In a surprise result, Amy Madigan won supporting actress for Weapons, boosting her late Oscar prospects.

Television honours saw a posthumous win for Catherine O'Hara for her role in The Studio. The award was accepted by co-star Seth Rogen, who praised her talent and generosity. The series also won best comedy ensemble, while Rogen picked up best comedy actor.

In the drama categories, The Pitt won best ensemble, with Noah Wyle earning best drama actor.

Veteran star Harrison Ford received the lifetime achievement award, reflecting on a career spanning more than six decades that includes roles in Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Blade Runner.

With 16 Oscar nominations, Sinners heads into the Academy Awards as a strong best picture contender, facing competition from One Battle After Another, which has secured major wins at other precursor events.

While Buckley remains the clear frontrunner in best actress, Jordan’s Actor Award triumph has made the best actor contest one of the tightest races ahead of Hollywood’s biggest night.

With inputs from BBC