LOS ANGELES — "Slumdog Millionaire" took another step forward in the race for a best picture Oscar, winning the top prize of best ensemble cast at Sunday's 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.
The acting categories, however, appear to be a bit more wide open. Meryl Streep won outstanding female actress actors for "Doubt," a victory that appeared to catch the star by surprise.
"I didn't even buy a dress," admitted Streep, who watched Kate Winslet win best actress honors a week earlier at the Golden Globes. "I'm really, really shocked."
The same held true in the outstanding male actor category. Sean Penn walked away a winner for his leading role in "Milk," a week after Mickey Rourke took the title at the Golden Globes.
For the second straight week, Heath Ledger earned a posthumous trophy for his role as the Joker in "The Dark Knight."
I'm quite emotional," said castmate Gary Oldman, who accepted Ledger's best supporting actor award. "He was an extraordinary young man with an extraordinary talent, and it is wonderful that you have acknowledged that."
Winslet, meanwhile, won best supporting actress for her turn in "The Reader."
On the television side, NBC's "30 Rock" registered a clean sweep, winning best comedy series and having the show's two stars, Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey, take home top actor and actress honors, respectively.
The hit AMC series "Mad Men" won for best drama series.
Check out red carpet pictures from the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.
15th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS WINNERS LIST
MOVIES
Best cast: "Slumdog Millionaire"
Best actor: Sean Penn, "Milk"
Best actress: Meryl Streep, "Doubt"
Supporting actor: Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight"
Supporting actress: Kate Winslet, "The Reader"
Stunt ensemble: "The Dark Knight"
TELEVISION
Drama series: "Mad Men"
Comedy series: "30 Rock"
Actor, drama series: Hugh Laurie, "House"
Actress, drama series: Sally Field, "Brothers & Sisters"
Actor, comedy series: Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"
Actress, comedy series: Tina Fey, "30 Rock"
Actor, movie or miniseries: Paul Giamatti, "John Adams"
Actress, movie or miniseries: Laura Linney, "John Adams"
Stunt ensemble: "Heroes"
Life achievement award: James Earl Jones
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