Idris Elba has every reason to feel delighted after his one hundred percent success rate at the recent Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards. The “Luther” star scooped both awards in the categories he was nominated for, on a night when the cast of the hugely popular Downton Abbey costume drama also picked up a gong.

Elba the star of the night

Not only did the 43-year-old Londoner collect the prize for the best supporting actor in a Film – recognising his part in “Beasts of No Nation” – but he backed that up with success in the best TV actor category. That award was due recognition for his leading role in the gritty BBC drama as the detective John Luther, a part that has previously earned him a Golden Globe.

Harrowing war drama

The American war drama “Beasts of No Nation” that was shot in Ghana has already attracted plaudits across Europe. Written, shot and directed by the multi-talented Cary Joji Fukunaga, the story of a young boy who survives despite his country going through a horrific civil war took the Marcello Mastroianni Award at the Venice International Film Festival last year.

SAGs awarded since 1995

The SAG Awards are awarded annually but are particularly prestigious to their recipients, given that they are being honoured by their peers for their outstanding work in film and prime time Television.

Although the Hollywood event has only been running since 1995, in recent years it has often provided a guide as to the likely winners at the Academy Awards ceremony.

Leonardo DiCaprio will certainly hope that is indeed the case, as he picked up the SAG Award this year for best actor for his role in the western epic “The Revenant”.

Diversity not an issue at SAG Awards

While the run up to this year’s Oscars has been somewhat dominated by the perceived lack of diversity in terms of the nominations, that same argument could not be levelled against the SAG Awards ceremony.

Five of the major prizes were awarded to black performers, with many observers considering that to be a pointed response to the outcry elsewhere within the industry. Besides Elba’s brace, there were also successes for Viola Davis, Uzo Aduba and Queen Latifah.

Third award for “Downton Abbey”

The cast of “Downton Abbey” won their third award in the TV categories, as they walked away with the prize for the best ensemble drama. With the curtain having been brought down on the British production last year, it was a fitting way to mark that occasion.