Rachel McAdams nominated for best supporting actress Oscar in ‘Spotlight’

For the first time in her career, Canadian actress Rachel McAdams has been nominated for an Oscar.

McAdams is nominated for best supporting actress for her work in Spotlight, a movie about The Boston Globe‘s “spotlight” team. In the film, the investigative journalists look into widespread child sexual abuse cases purportedly committed by a priest in and around the city.

READ MORE: Complete list of the 2016 Oscar nominations

McAdams’s character, journalist Sacha Pfeiffer, is based on a real person of the same name, and the Canadian star spent time with her to make sure she got the role down pat.

WATCH: Canadian Rachel McAdams nominated for an Oscar for her work in the movie ‘Spotlight.’

0:22 Oscars: Canadian Rachel McAdams nominated for supporting role Oscar

READ MORE: Golden Globe 2016 winners

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McAdams recalls hearing about some abuse allegations when she was younger and felt “confused and baffled” such a thing could happen, especially to kids.