Oscars news: Liverpool man wins 2025 Academy Award for work on Wicked

By Rachel Walker

A set decorator from Liverpool has taken home the Oscar for Best Production Design for his work on the musical blockbuster Wicked.

Lee Sandales from Gateacre accepted the award alongside his collaborator, Nathan Crowley, at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, March 2.

The 53-year-old also won the Production Design BAFTA for his work on the film in February.

He has enjoyed a vast career in film and television and has previously been nominated for Academy Awards for his work on War Horse and 1917.

Wicked was nominated for 10 awards going into the night but only came away with two, Best Production Design and Best Costume Design.

Over the rainbow

A smash hit at the box office, Wicked is an adaptation of the 2003 stage show and a loose reimagining of the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz.

The 2024 film is directed by Jon M. Chu, who was previously known for directing the romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians in 2018.

Speaking about the achievement, Nathan said: “Wicked was one of our greatest experiences of all time to make and we owe that to Jon Chu.”

Lee added: “Jon you took us over the rainbow. Thank you so much.”

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Scousers still waiting

It was a proud moment for the city as no Liverpool-born actor has ever won an Academy Award.

The closest link comes from ‘across the water,’ on the Wirral, thanks to Birkenhead-born actress Glenda Jackson, who won two Best Actress awards in 1970 and 1973.

Big night for Anora

On the night the big winner was independent film Anora, which walked away with five awards including the coveted Best Picture.

The black comedy also took home the Academy Awards for Best Director, Best Editing, Best Original Screenplay and Best Actress for 25-year-old star Mikey Madison.

Adrien Brody won his second Best Actor award for his role as Laszlo Toth in “The Brutalist”.

“Emilia Perez” star Zoe Saldana won Best Supporting Actress and Kieran Culkin took home the Best Supporting Actor award for “A Real Pain”.

Brazil won its first ever Oscar for Best International Feature for “I’m Still Here”, and Latvia’s “Flow” won the award for Best Animated Film.

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