The 2026 Critics Choice Awards ceremony in Los Angeles witnessed a memorable and candid moment as acclaimed actor Sarah Snook took home a prestigious trophy. Snook was honoured with the award for Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television for her gripping performance in the series All Her Fault.
A Triumph in a Stellar Category
The victory was particularly significant given the formidable competition in the category. Snook, 38, triumphed over a powerful lineup of nominees that included Hollywood heavyweights Jessica Biel, Meghann Fahy, Michelle Williams, Robin Wright, and Renee Zellweger. This win adds another major accolade to Snook's already impressive and growing career portfolio, solidifying her status as one of the most compelling performers of her generation.
The Unprepared but Heartfelt Acceptance
In a moment of charming honesty that endeared her to the audience, Sarah Snook confessed from the stage that she had not prepared an acceptance speech. According to reports from PEOPLE magazine, Snook revealed she had nearly forgotten about the awards ceremony while en route.
She shared an amusing anecdote about her journey to the event. "My husband was like, 'You seem a bit distant,' in the car on the way here," Snook recounted. "And I was like, 'Yeah, I just forgot what we were doing, and I didn't write a speech or anything, and I'm just trying to go through some things now.'"
The actor further explained that upon arriving at the venue, she got distracted by the joy of reuniting with colleagues and friends, once again pushing speech preparation out of her mind. "And then I forgot when we got here again, 'cause it was so nice to see everybody, and now I've gotten up here, and I'm regretting all of it," she said with a smile.
Focus on the Craft and Camaraderie
Despite her initial fluster, Snook quickly composed herself to deliver a warm and genuine tribute to the experience of making All Her Fault. She shifted the focus from the award itself to the creative process and the bonds formed on set.
"We had an awesome time with the crew, shooting really great stuff," she said. "And I think that's the main thing: just having a great time while we're shooting, 'cause we're just playing pretend." This reflection highlighted her passion for the acting craft above the glamour of awards.
In All Her Fault, Snook portrays Marissa Irvine, a mother whose world shatters when she arrives to pick up her five-year-old son from a playdate only to discover he was never there. The series is a tense thriller that follows the desperate search for the missing boy, delving into how panic, mistrust, and accusation start to tear apart the lives of everyone connected to the tragedy. Snook's nuanced performance in this complex role was clearly a decisive factor for the Critics Choice voters.
The Critics Choice Awards 2026, held on January 5, continue to be a key barometer of artistic excellence as recognized by North America's top broadcast, cable, and streaming critics. Sarah Snook's win and her refreshingly unprepared speech have become one of the most talked-about highlights of this year's ceremony.
