Second Oscar for Nicole? Kidman could take out Best Supporting Actress Academy Award... after using her own experiences with adoption to inspire her character in new film Lion

By Hannah Moore For Daily Mail Australia and Reuters

Published: 06:48 EST, 13 October 2016 | Updated: 07:35 EST, 13 October 2016

The internationally famed actress won her first and only Oscar in 2003.

But it seems Nicole Kidman's luck is could change, as Variety have named her a strong contender for the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award in 2017.

The 49-year-old  is expected to be nominated for the gong following the warm reception her new film, Lion, received at the Toronto International Film Festival last month.

Scroll down for video  

Black to basics! Nicole Kidman is expected to be nominated for an Oscar next year following her performance in Lion, which has been warmly received by critics

Black to basics! Nicole Kidman is expected to be nominated for an Oscar next year following her performance in Lion, which has been warmly received by critics

The publication have also listed the film as a likely contender to be nominated for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Nicole said her own experiences in adopting children led her to the role, where she plays an Australian mother who adopted a five-year-old Indian boy.

The film, which opens in the US on November 25, follows the true story of Saroo Brierley, played by British actor Dev Patel, who was separated from his family in central India aged 5 when he accidentally boarded a train to Calcutta.

Mumma bear: The film follows Saroo, an Indian boy who was adopted at the age of five after he was separated from his parents. Nicole plays his adoptive mother, who brings him to live in Australia

Mumma bear: The film follows Saroo, an Indian boy who was adopted at the age of five after he was separated from his parents. Nicole plays his adoptive mother, who brings him to live in Australia

As a lost child unable to remember where his home is, Saroo is put up for adoption and taken in by an Australian couple.

Years later as a grown man living a successful life in Australia, Saroo tries to find his family using satellite images from Google Earth and confronts new challenges as his past life collides with his present.

Nicole, who adopted two children with her ex-husband Tom Cruise, said that was the reason she was drawn to play Sue Brierley, Saroo's adopted mother.

Relatable: The mother-of-four says she felt drawn to the character following her own experiences with adopting children

Relatable: The mother-of-four says she felt drawn to the character following her own experiences with adopting children

'I was drawn to her and she wanted me to play her, which I loved,' Kidman said.

'I still wanted every moment that was on screen to be full of her story and her truth... and that's almost harder than being the lead because it's trying to put all of those complicated emotions and ideas into small scenes.'

Her co-star Dev praised Kidman's performance, saying 'her performances come from a very authentic place and to share the screen with her really was a blessing.' 

Memory lane: The Australian starlet adopted two children with her ex-husband Tom Cruise, Isabella and Connor

Memory lane: The Australian starlet adopted two children with her ex-husband Tom Cruise, Isabella and Connor

Comments (3)

Share what you think

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now