Lead by Anthony Anderson and Lauren Graham, The Television Academy announced the nominees for the 2016 Primetime Emmy Awards on Thursday morning.
Six-Time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald received a nomination for Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for her flawless embodiment of the late jazz singer, Billie Holiday, in “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill” on HBO. A filmed version of her Broadway show of the same title for which she won her sixth Tony award back in 2014, making her the most winningest Broadway actress of all time.
Going up against Audra is Kerry Washington for her incredibly honest portrayal of Anita Hill in HBO’s “Confirmation”. Kerry appeared on Broadway back in 2009 in Race. “Confirmation” is also up for Outstanding TV Movie.
Viola Davis grabbed a nomination for her role as “Annalise Keating” in ABC’s “How to Get Away with Murder” in the category of Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Viola will soon be bringing the character of “Rose” to the big screen in the film adaptation of August Wilson’s Tony Award winning drama, Fences, alongside Denzel Washington.
Speaking of Fences, another Broadway Black favorite who made his Tony Award nominated Broadway debut in the same play, Courtney B. Vance snagged an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of smooth-talking attorney, Johnnie Cochran, in FX’s “The People vs O.J. Simpson: An American Crime Story.”
Our favorite funny guy, Tituss Burgess received a nomination for his role as “Titus Andromedon” in Netflix’s “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”. Tituss has several Broadway credits including: Guys and Dolls, The Little Mermaid, Jersey Boys and Good Vibrations.
Tracie Thoms also received an Emmy nomination for work in BET’s “Send Me” in the category of Best Actress in a Short Form Comedy of Drama Series! Tracie returns to Broadway in the musical The Falsettos this season!
Reg E. Cathey, who was recently in White Rabbit Red Rabbit at the Westside Theater, received an Emmy nomination for his role as “Freddy Hayes” in “House of Cards” in the Outstanding Guest Actor In a Drama category.
Lastly, in the category of Best Costume Design, Tony Award winner Paul Tazwell gets a nomination for his breathtaking work on “The Wiz Live!”. Paul recently won the 2016 Tony for Best Costume Design for his work on the history making Hamilton: An American Musical.
We will definitely be tuned in to the 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony on Sunday, September 18th at 7pm on ABC to see if our favorites take home statues!
