LGBTQ+ actors dominate Emmy Awards nominations
July 19, 2024The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is embracing the LGBTQ+ pool of talent.
On Wednesday (17 July), the nominations for the upcoming 76th Primetime Emmy Awards were revealed, showcasing a dominant presence of LGBTQ+ actors and stories. Truly, there is ample rainbow representation here.
According to ‘Gay Times’, in the category of ‘Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie,’ queer talent shines brightly with four out of five nominees identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community: Matt Bomer (Fellow Travelers), Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer), Tom Hollander (Feud: Capote vs. The Swans), and Andrew Scott (Ripley). They are joined by Jon Hamm (Fargo), representing heterosexuals.
Bomer emphasised the significance of having “two out actors” in a queer love story being nominated in a statement, describing it as “profoundly moving to me.”
Richard Gadd’s highly praised Netflix series Baby Reindeer, which delves into his experiences with sexual assault, garnered seven nominations, including the aforementioned category and three additional acting nods for Tom Goodman-Hill, Jessica Gunning, and Nava Mau.
Image Credit: Canva
With her nomination, Mau makes history as the first trans actress to be nominated for ‘Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.’
After the announcement, Mau told Deadline that she cried for 45 minutes out of “overwhelming joy.”
“For trans actors, we just don’t get many opportunities to develop our craft, grow as artists, and to be recognized for all that we are capable of,” she shared.
“It has been an invaluable experience being part of this show. Every step of the way, I felt the transformation happening within me, my life, and what feels possible.
“Being recognized by my peers in the Academy celebrates that transformation.”
Andrew Scott’s performance as the title character in Ripley, which marks his second nomination, has also earned the Netflix series nominations for ‘Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series’ and three additional nods for directing, writing, and Dakota Fanning for Supporting Actress.
Although Fellow Travelers experienced a surprising snub in the ‘Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series’ category, Jonathan Bailey received his first-ever nomination in ‘Supporting Actor,’ while creator Ron Nyswaner was acknowledged for his writing.
Bailey described the nomination as “beyond measure,” adding, “I understand that this kind of recognition is rare. Growing up, I cherished the limited queer television and films available while contending with problematic media and societal criticism of queer life.
“I have admired many award-winning dramatic performances of gay characters, but for Matt and me to be nominated together as gay actors feels like progress that would have made growing up easier.”
“For that, I am grateful and incredibly proud. Thank you to the TV Academy for this opportunity,” he concluded, before praising the cast and crew of Fellow Travelers.
For its third acclaimed season, Max’s comedy series Hacks garnered six nominations, including ‘Outstanding Comedy Series’ and a third consecutive nomination for Hannah Einbinder in ‘Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.’
As always, RuPaul’s Drag Race has been nominated for ‘Outstanding Reality Competition Program,’ facing tough competition from The Amazing Race, Top Chef, The Voice, and – our prediction for the frontrunner – The Traitors.
Additional LGBTQ+ actors with acting nominations include Ayo Edebiri (The Bear), Jodie Foster (True Detective: Night Country), Holland Taylor (The Morning Show), Lily Gladstone (Under the Bridge), and Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live).
At the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, which celebrate artistic, technical, and animated achievements, Prime Video’s instant LGBTQIA+ classic Red, White & Royal Blue is nominated for ‘Outstanding Television Movie.’
For her role in Prime’s action-comedy series Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Sarah Paulson is up for ‘Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.’
RuPaul is aiming for her ninth consecutive award for ‘Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition Program,’ where she will compete against Alan Cumming (The Traitors), Kristen Kish (Top Chef), Jeff Probst (Survivor), and the six hosts of Shark Tank.
Queer projects such as Baby Reindeer, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked, Hacks, Queer Eye, Ripley, We’re Here, and What We Do In The Shadows have landed additional technical awards, from production design to casting and picture editing.
Check out the nominations (that you need to know about) for the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, scheduled for 15 September, here.
Read related myGwork articles here:
Winners Call For More Visibility For Trans & Drag Stories At 75th Emmy Awards
Here Are All The Queer Nominees For The 72nd Emmy Awards
Non-Binary ‘Yellowjackets’ Star Liv Hewson Pulls Out Of Emmys Race Over Gendered Categories
RuPaul Wins Historic Seventh Consecutive Emmy Award
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