LOS ANGELES, CA — On Tuesday morning the nominations for the 74th Annual Television Emmy Awards were announced as actress Quinta Brunson made history with the hit ABC series Abbott Elementary.
Brunson landed three nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series, lead actress in a comedy, and writing a comedy series and is the first Black woman to earn three nominations in comedy categories in the same year. Along with her impressive work ethic and talent, she is the youngest Black woman to be nominated in the comedy acting category. It’s ABC’s number one new comedy in two years in the adults category of 18-49. The opportunity for Black creatives has expanded in the past few years with Issa Rae (Insecure) and Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish) were both nominated in 2020, as producers and lead actresses in a comedy.
“I think everyone really cares about making a good show and that’s an important part of it. I think sometimes people make shows and hey, they want to make money and that’s something you can do in TV. I think we are in a special place where we all care about it very much and trust each other very much, and that’s huge too. I think the network and studio really trusting us to do something new and risk-taking for ABC was really important. I think that the show is coming at a time where people are appreciating…,” Brunson told Awardsline.
With the nominations on Tuesday and in the previous years, it continues to open the door for more Black creatives to get their credit and opportunity on television. However the work is far from done when it pertains to true equality and opportunity, yet Brunson’s nomination is instrumental in the plight to elevate and allow more open doors for people of color in the television industry.
The Television Emmy’s air on September 12 on NBC.
