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Why ‘The Secret Agent’ Star Wagner Moura Has the Internet Buzzing
This isn't Wagner Moura’s first rodeo.
In fact, longtime fans of the Brazilian actor, who rose to international fame with 2015’s Narcos, are thrilled the rest of the population seems to be finally catching up to the 49-year-old’s star power with The Secret Agent—a role that officially earned the actor a Best Actor Oscar nomination. (See all nominations here.)
The Brazilian film—also nominated for Best Picture, Best International Feature Film and Best Casting at the 2026 AcademyA wards—sees Moura play former professor Armando, who finds himself a political target amid the country’s dictatorship in 1977 and is forced to flee persecution.
So far, Moura’s performance has earned him Best Actor at Cannes Film Festival, nominations at the Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globes and—despite what many felt to be a snub by the newly renamed Actor Awards—is generating Oscar buzz.
For Moura himself, The Secret Agent was one of those perfect moments in which the joy he felt on set resulted in a project he is equally proud of.
“I knew what this film was going to be about but the making of it—I was so happy,” he told former Shining Girls costar Elizabeth Moss for Interview Mag in a December piece. “It’s interesting because not every time that you’re happy on a film set results in a good film. And the opposite is also true.”
But beyond the joy of creating The Secret Agent is the connection Moura felt to the movie’s messaging and theme, especially when it comes to how his fellow countrymen will relate.
Neon via AP
“It’s reconnecting Brazilians with the Brazilian films after a very difficult political moment in Brazil where the far right was transforming artists into the enemies of the people,” the Civil War star explained. “So, the connection that the Brazilian audience is having with Brazilian films is so great.”
And picking movies and TV projects that pack a punch—whether it be emotionally, politically or visually—has always been Moura’s guiding principle.
“I’ve never done anything for money, that’s for sure,” he quipped. “I’ve never done anything because it would lead me to another thing. I’ve never done a film because it was a big blockbuster.”
Brianna Bryson/WireImage
Instead, he reflected, “I’d like to think that when I look back that I’m coherent with the choices that I made, so I see that many of the films that I’ve done are very political because I like politics and also I tend to see social and political meanings in things that others probably don’t.”
As for being recognized at the Golden Globes—and after the success of the Brazilian film I’m Still Here throughout last year’s award season—Moura is just proud that his country continues to be recognized on a global stage.
“I’m just happy,” he told Seth Meyers on Jan. 4, “for Brazilians and for our culture.”
For a closer look at this year's Oscar nominations—and the many snubs and surprises—read on.
Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures
SNUB: Ariana Grande
Although Ariana scored a nomination for her performance in the original Wicked, as well as this year for the Golden Globes and Actor Awards, she missed out for her second Oscar nod for Glinda the Good.
Courtesy of Netflix
SURPRISE: Jacob Elordi
Although Jacob's performance in Frankenstein was worth the hype, his first-time nomination comes as a surprise among a stacked Best Supporting Actor race.
Courtesy of Netflix
SNUB: Adam Sandler
Despite his worthy performance alongside George Clooney in Jay Kelly, the comedian did not score a Best Supporting Actor nomination.
Rich Polk/NBC via Getty Images
SNUB: Regina Hall
Despite her worthy Best Supporting Actress performance in One Battle After Another, Regina was snubbed.
Focus Features
SNUB: Paul Mescal
Paul's performance as William Shakespeare in Chloé Zhao's Hamnet was worth a Supporting Actor nod for Golden Globes and the Actor Awards, but he didn't score the Oscar recognition.
Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock
SURPRISE: F1
Despite its absence among other major awards, F1 scored big for the Oscar nominations, including a Best Picture nod.
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
SNUB: Miley Cyrus
Although Miley held a worthy campaign for Best Original Song, Avatar's "Dream As One" did not score a nomination.
Neon
SURPRISE: Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas
The Sentimental Value actress scored a well-deserved, but surprising, nod for her performance as Agnes.
Universal Pictures
SNUB: Wicked: For Good
The original Wicked movie scored big in nominations last year, but its sequel was snubbed in all major categories, including Best Picture.
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
SNUB: Chase Infiniti
While One Battle After Another was present in plenty of other Oscar categories, Chase did not earn the recognition for her lead actress role.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
SNUB: Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer's performance in Die, My Love earned plenty of Oscar buzz throughout the season, but she was ultimately snubbed from Oscar recognition.
Warner Bros. Pictures
SURPRISE: Delroy Lindo
While Delroy missed out on a nod for the Golden Globes and Actor Awards, his performance as Delta Slim earned him a deserved—and first ever—Oscar nod.
A24
SNUB: Odessa A'Zion
The Marty Supreme actress scored a nod for the Actor Awards, but she was snubbed for her performance in the Best Supporting Actress category a the Oscars.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
SNUB: Amanda Seyfried
The Testament of Anne Lee put Amanda in the running for Best Actress, but she ultimately lost out for a nomination.
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Joico
SURPRISE: Kate Hudson
The Best Actress category was stacked, so Kate's nomination for Song Sung Blue was a pleasant surprise.
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