SAG Awards 2018: Nicole Kidman Wins Top Prize, Implores Industry To Tell Women’s Stories

Nicole Kidman used her speech at the SAG Awards to further shine a light on female-led content.

Kidman, who picked up the accolade for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series, for her role in HBO's Big Little Lies, spoke while visibly and audibly stricken with a bad flu.

The 50-year-old actress told the audience that she was powering through in order to be there. Kidman spoke passionately about how great it felt to receive such a high honor "at this stage in my life ... and at this time in the industry," referencing the #MeToo and Time's Up campaigns.

Kidman acknowledged her Big Little Lies co-stars, and fellow nominees in her category, Laura Dern and Reese Witherspoon, along with Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange whom she said she "reveres."

"The list is so long and I would love to say so many more names, but I can't right now. But I want to thank you all for your trailblazing performances you've given over your career," Kidman gushed, after name-checking several more notable actresses, including Meryl Streep.

Kidman pointed out how, previously, she, Lange, Dern, etc., would have been "pretty washed up" at this stage in their careers but that now there are more opportunities for actresses of a certain age.

Kidman implored the powers that be to continue to stay behind them because, in her view, "it's only the beginning."

"We have proven that we can do this. We can continue to do this but only with support of this industry and that money and passion," she said.

Kidman's role in Big Little Lies seems particularly potent at this moment in time. She played a wife and mother who struggles to tear herself away from a sexually and emotionally abusive relationship while still protecting her family and the life she's built for them.

Alexander Skarsgård, who plays her husband on the show, picked up the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series.

Elsewhere, the SAG Awards were more of the same, with Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell winning once again for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Gary Oldman picking up Best Actor for Darkest Hour, and Allison Janney taking home another statuette for her role in I, Tonya.

The biggest surprise came with the awarding of best comedy ensemble for the celebrated political satire Veep, its first ever SAG Award, with Julia Louis-Dreyfus also winning for her lead role as Selina Meyer. Kidman also won for the first time in her tenth nomination at the show.