Are the 2018 Emmy nominations as diverse as it claims to be?
Hollywood’s problem with portraying racial diversity is an open secret.
For years, there has been a lack of people of color featured in TV series. When there were non-white characters, they were either left in the background or even worse, killed off and portrayed as victims of hate crimes. (I’m looking at you Law & Order SVU)
But there has been an increase in diverse racial representation within the past decade. TV series like black-ish, Jane the Virgin and Fresh off The Boat all feature a main cast of non-white characters. Specifically, all three shows are about what it means to have a black, Latinx and Asian family respectively, and seem to expand the conversation on diversity.
ICYMI, 2018’s Emmy nominations were announced and this year’s lineup sets a record for its most diverse year yet with a total of 36 non-white nominees within the acting categories. This includes TV series in the category for drama, comedy and limited series or movie.
People are saying that the Emmys are becoming more inclusive. But is this really the case for lead roles in TV series?
The number of black actresses nominated as lead actress for a comedy or drama series had not changed much during the last decade. Beginning from 2015, at least two black actresses are nominated for an acting Emmy every year.
During the same year, Viola Davis made history as the first black actress to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role in How to Get Away with Murder.
The 2018 Emmy nominations were released this week and it sparked another historical moment for the Television Academy. Sandra Oh became the first Asian actress to be nominated as lead actress in a drama series for her role as Eve Polastri in Killing Eve.
Not much has changed for male black actors either. Similar to black actresses, the number of black actors in lead roles that are nominated have increased, but only by small increments.
2017 seemed to be a more inclusive year as it was the first time in decades that the acting categories feature actors from more racially diverse backgrounds. During 2017, Aziz Ansari became the first South Asian actor to be nominated for Outstanding Lead in a Comedy Series.
The Emmy was ultimately awarded to Donald Glover for his role in Atlanta. Glover was only the second black actor to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead in a Comedy Series. Sterling K. Brown won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role in This Is Usduring the same year.
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Although Oh’s nomination is an iconic moment for the U.S. Asian-American community, the nominations announcement points out a concerning fact.
There have been no nominations for Hispanic or Latinx actors and actresses for nearly 20 years.
In terms of TV representation, the number of Hispanic or Latinx characters remain consistent. There are shows featuring Hispanic or Latinx actors and actresses, but their characters are left in the background.
Despite the fact that the Hispanic and Latinx population make up 18 percent of the U.S. population, only a handful of TV series have Hispanic or Latinx characters as part of the main cast.
If the second-largest racial group in the U.S. is unable to achieve proper representation, it is unlikely that other racial and ethnic groups will be able to reach that goal anytime soon.
But diverse racial representation is not a new topic to Hollywood. It’s been the subject of each film and television award show for years. So why is it taking so long for actors and actresses of different ethnic backgrounds to be noticed? And what will it take for them to be given a chance to get a lead role for a TV series?
The 70th Primetime Emmy Awards will be held on September 17.
(Originally posted on July 18)
