LOS ANGELES -- Idris Elba has been something of a poster child for #OscarsSoWhite 2016 -- he was widely considered the most-deserving of a nomination among nonwhite actors who were passed over this year -- but as far as his fellow SAG-AFTRA actors are concerned, he's the man.
The Beasts of No Nation star beat out four white nominees Saturday night to win the Screen Actors Guild Award for Male Actor in a Supporting Role, then happily accepted the trophy and didn't get into the controversy. But that really isn't Elba's brand.
"Thank you for giving this film some light, man, and love," he said, after thanking director Cary Fukunaga and "Ted something" (he was kidding around with Netflix head Ted Sarandos, of course). And then he stepped down and left it at that.
Minutes later, Queen Latifah beat out four white nominees for Female Actor in a Miniseries/TV Movie for the HBO special Bessie.
"Thank you my compadres, my brothers and sisters in the struggle," she said, but also didn't get into specifics.
And right behind her, Elba won again -- this time for Male Actor in a Miniseries/TV Movie, for his role in Luther. Elba kindly thanked his cast, crew and family, then stepped down from the dais.
The thousands of SAG-AFTRA members who vote on the awards have had plenty of time to consider their impact on the Hollywood diversity question -- their final ballots weren't due until noon on Friday.