Wagner Moura has entered Golden Globes history as the first Brazilian man ever nominated for best actor in a drama, earning the nom for his lead performance in Kleber Mendonça Filho’s ‘The Secret Agent.’

The milestone marks a major step forward for Brazilian visibility at the Globes, where actors from the country have rarely been acknowledged in top categories. Moura’s nomination comes on the heels of another historic achievement: his New York Film Critics Circle win, which made him the first Latino performer to take home the group’s best actor award. His celebrated role in the political thriller has drawn praise for its mix of quiet intensity and explosive emotion.

In the film, Moura portrays a government employee entangled in a maze of surveillance and political intrigue, delivering one of his most commanding screen turns. ‘The Secret Agent’ also reunites him with Mendonça Filho—the acclaimed director of ‘Bacurau’ and ‘Aquarius’—and has been a standout presence across international festivals. After premiering at Cannes, the movie became the most awarded entry of the lineup, earning jury prizes for both direction and acting.

Although Brazil has a long history of producing globally recognized cinema—including Fernanda Montenegro’s landmark Oscar nomination for ‘Central Station’ (1992) and her daughter Fernanda Torres’s breakthrough with ‘I’m Still Here’ last year—Brazilian men have rarely appeared in Hollywood’s major awards races. Moura’s Globe nod further elevates his international stature, built on prominent roles in ‘Narcos,’ ‘Serra Pelada,’ and the broader rise of non-English-language performances in the industry.

The 49-year-old actor could follow a trajectory similar to Torres, who won last year’s Golden Globe for ‘I’m Still Here’ before earning an unexpected Oscar nomination. Many awards-watchers believe she placed just behind category winner Mikey Madison (‘Anora’), a film that also secured a best picture nomination. Moura’s recognition now fuels speculation about whether ‘The Secret Agent’ might continue Latin American cinema’s growing momentum this awards season.

His nomination arrives as the Golden Globes embrace a more international profile following recent restructuring. It adds to an exceptional year for Latin American artists and strengthens the global character of this year’s awards race.

The Golden Globes ceremony air live on CBS on January 11 at 5pm PT / 8 pm ET.

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