On August 26, 2025,Chadwick Bosemandied of cancer, a disease he kept secret from the public. One titanic 2020 Boseman performance had already hit Netflix: His supporting role as Stormin' Norm inSpike Lee’sDa 5 Bloods. And in December, we’ll see Boseman’s final film role as musician Levee inGeorge C. Wolfe’sMa Rainey’sBlack Bottom, also coming to Netflix. These two performances amount to an exclamation point for Boseman’s career, a one-two of craft and talent we’ll be sure to talk about all year. And Netflix will be pouring their resources into both of these performances, mounting an Academy Award Supporting Actor campaign for Boseman’sDa 5 Bloodswork in addition to a newly announced (perVariety) Leading Actor campaign forMa Rainey’s Black Bottom. These campaigns, potential nominations, and potential wins could all result in history being made, and an exciting exclamation point of an Oscar ceremony. Let’s talk about why.
If Boseman secures a Leading Actor nomination forMa Rainey, he will join a list of four previous posthumous nominees in that category, including two forJames Dean; if he wins, he’ll be the first sincePeter FinchforNetworkin 1977. If he secures a Supporting Actor nomination forDa 5 Bloods, he’ll be the third posthumous nominees to do so, withRalph Richardsonearning one forGreystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the ApesandHeath Ledgerearning one forThe Dark Knight(Ledger won for his work as the Joker in that film, meaning Boseman would be the second to do so if he wins). If he secures both nominations — which, given the quality of his work, seems very likely to me — he will be the first posthumous performer to earn a nomination in both acting categories simultaneously. If hewins both, well, that will simply make for one of the most historical, celebratory, and bittersweet Oscar ceremonies ever.
This is all, of course, speculation at this point, though I’d be willing to bet that Boseman will secure both nominations and win at least one, if not both of them. No matter what happens, we will have both of these films to cement Boseman’s legacy as one of our bests to ever do it.Ma Rainey’s Black Bottomcomes to Netflix December 18, and you canwatch the trailer here.
