The 2016 Emmy Nominations are in and Black performers have something to shout about. Twenty-one Black actors and actresses have been nominated in a total of 16 acting categories, from comedies to dramas.
Some critics like to attribute this surge of talent recognition to the #OscarSoWhite controversy regarding the lack of Black performers, and films that star Black performers, thereby putting them at a disadvantage when awards are given to individuals for outstanding work. But for television, I say let’s give credit where credit is due…Fox’s blockbuster show “Empire.” This ‘in your face’ series made television executives take notice. Yeah, yeah Black people and other people of color should be represented, but “Empire” took it one step further, it made money and history of some sort. You can’t deny it, “Empire” made some serious noise when it debuted. It sent studio executives scrambling to not only tell Black stories, but to include Black ‘flavor’ into ‘ohsowhite’ TV productions.
The list is long and exciting, so let’s get to it. Please note that I’m only listing the productions with Black Acting nominations. For a complete list of nominations go to www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-emmys-2016
The Emmy Awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, Sept. 18 and will air live on ABC, with Jimmy Kimmel acting as host.
Lead actress in a drama: Claire Danes, “Homeland” Viola Davis , “How to Get Away With Murder” Taraji P. Henson, “Empire” Tatiana Maslany, “Orphan Black” Keri Russell, “The Americans” Robin Wright, “House of Cards”
Lead actor in a limited series: Bryan Cranston, “All the Way” Benedict Cumberbatch, “Sherlock: The Abominable Bride” Idris Elba, “Luther” Cuba Gooding Jr., “The People vs. O.J. Simpson” Tom Hiddleston, “The Night Manager” Courtney B. Vance, “The People vs. O.J. Simpson”
Lead actress in a limited series: Kirsten Dunst, “Fargo” Felicity Huffman, “American Crime” Audra McDonald, “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grille” Sarah Paulson, “The People v. O.J. Simpson” Lili Taylor, “American Crime” Kerry Washington, “Confirmation”
Lead actor in a comedy: Anthony Anderson, “black-ish” Aziz Ansari, “Master of None” Will Forte, “Last Man on Earth William H. Macy, “Shameless” Thomas Middleditch, “Silicon Valley” Jeffrey Tambor, “Transparent”
Lead actress in a Comedy: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep” Ellie Kemper, “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” | Tracee Ellis Ross, “black-ish” Laurie Metcalf, “Getting On” Amy Schumer, “Inside Amy Schumer” Lily Tomlin, “Grace and Frankie”
Comedy series: “black-ish” “Master of None”
“Modern Family” “Silicon Valley” “Transparent” “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” “Veep”
Drama series: “The Americans” “Better Call Saul” “Downton Abbey” “Game of Thrones” “Homeland” “House of Cards” “Mr. Robot”
Outstanding Limited Series: “American Crime” (Ensemble Cast) “Fargo” “The Night Manager” “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” “Roots”
TV Movie: “All the Way” “Confirmation” (Kerry Washington) “Luther” (Idris Elba) “Sherlock: The Abominable Bride” “A Very Murray Christmas”
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series: Louie Anderson, “Baskets” Andre Braugher, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” Keegan-Michael Key, “Key & Peele” Ty Burrell, “Modern Family” Tituss Burgess, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” Tony Hale, “Veep” Matt Walsh, “Veep”
Visit ourweekly.com for the complete list of nominees.
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie Jesse Plemons, “Fargo” Bokeem Woodbine, “Fargo” Hugh Laurie, “The Night Manager” Sterling K. Brown, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” David Schwimmer, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” John Travolta, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series Niecy Nash, “Getting On” Allison Janney, “Mom” Kate McKinnon , “Saturday Night Live” Judith Light, “Transparent “ Gaby Hoffmann, “Transparent” Anna Chlumsky, “Veep”
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie Melissa Leo, “All The Way” Regina King, “American Crime” Sarah Paulson, “American Horror Story: Hotel” Kathy Bates, “American Horror Story: Hotel” Jean Smart, “Fargo” Olivia Colman, “The Night Manager”
Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series Bob Newhart, “The Big Bang Theory” Tracy Morgan, “Saturday Night Live” Larry David, “Saturday Night Live” Bradley Whitford, “Transparent” Martin Mull, “Veep” Peter MacNicol, “Veep”
Outstanding Narrator Adrien Brody, “Breakthrough” Keith David, “Jackie Robinson” Anthony Mendez, “Jane The Virgin” David Attenborough, “Life Story” Laurence Fishburne, “Roots”
