Michael B. Jordan is celebrating his first Golden Globe nomination, a major milestone in a career built on bold creative choices.
Michael B. Jordan received a nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for Sinners, the blockbuster that has earned more than $367 million worldwide. Jordan credits the film’s ambitious dual role for pushing him further than any project before.
Jordan said the idea surprised him from the moment director Ryan Coogler called. He did not expect to play twins, and the thought made him anxious. He explained that the nerves signalled an opportunity for growth. Coogler also wanted to challenge him and take him out of his comfort zone. Their long collaboration began in 2013 with Fruitvale Station, the film that helped establish Jordan as a leading actor. Since then, they have built a partnership based on trust and a shared desire to evolve.
#GoldenGlobes: Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama Nominations
Joel Edgerton, “Train Dreams”
Oscar Isaac, “Frankenstein”
Dwayne Johnson, “The Smashing Machine”
Michael B. Jordan, “Sinners”
Wagner Moura, “The Secret Agent”
Jeremy Allen White, Springsteen: “Deliver Me From… pic.twitter.com/INmJU8dext
— Variety (@Variety) December 8, 2025
The film required Jordan to create two unique personalities. Smoke and Stack are World War I veterans turned Chicago gangsters who return to their hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi. They face a darker threat in the South in 1932.
Jordan said both men carry trauma, and that sense of pain shapes their choices. Smoke is protective and grounded, while Stack embraces risk and charisma. Jordan described their connection as emotional and layered, noting that the brothers represent different sides of one soul.
Michael B. Jordan reacts to Ryan Coogler’s #Sinners nominations for Best Director and Best Screenplay:
"To see him get nominated for something original, for something that means so much to him and that’s been inspired by his Uncle James and his passion for blues music, and… pic.twitter.com/BTMWbpkH7x
— Variety (@Variety) December 8, 2025
Jordan’s work in Sinners has earned both critical and commercial success. The film’s strong box office results and awards buzz highlight the impact of his dual performance. For Jordan, the nomination marks more than a career first. It reflects his dedication to growth and the artistic risks that continue to define his path.