Black Women Rule the Emmy Nominations but Inclusion Still Falls Short

The nominations for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards feature prominent Black artists, including Quinta Brunson, Ayo Edebiri, Stephen Graham, Sterling K. Brown, and RuPaul Charles, all of whom received multiple nods. Notably, for the first time, Black women make up the majority of nominees—three out of five— in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category. The awards ceremony is set for September 14, 2025, at the Peacock Theater, hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze, with live coverage on CBS and streaming via Paramount+.Brunson is recognized for her roles as executive producer, lead actress, and writer for “Abbott Elementary,” while Edebiri garners nominations as the chef Sydney Adamu in “The Bear.” Uzo Aduba and Sterling K. Brown are also recognized for their performances in “The Residence” and “Paradise,” respectively. Despite these accomplishments, major categories still saw a lack of representation for Black actors, marking a continued need for inclusion within the industry.