Tramell Tillman and Zach Cherry, co-stars on AppleTV+’s Severance, both earned their first Emmy nominations on July 15. If either wins Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, it would mark the first time a Black actor has won in that category.
Their potential win would complete a sweep across all major acting categories for Black performers. Viola Davis won Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series in 2015, Sterling K. Brown won Lead Actor in 2017, and Ayo Edebiri won Supporting Actress for Comedy in 2023.
Severance leads with the most nominations at the 2025 Emmys, scheduled for September 14. But according to Deadline, the number of diverse acting and hosting nominees dropped 18% from last year. Only 28 non-white actors and hosts are recognized, compared to 34 in 2024 and a high of 49 in 2021.
Three major acting categories this year have no non-white nominees: Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Guest Actress in a Drama Series, and Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. The National Hispanic Media Coalition noted the gap, stating the Television Academy “fell short” in representation.
Still, some Black nominees are making history. Ayo Edebiri is the first Black woman nominated for both acting and directing in the same year. Quinta Brunson received nominations for both acting and writing for Abbott Elementary, while Sterling K. Brown is up for his seventh Emmy nomination, this time for Hulu’s Paradise.
