Viola Davis is unstoppable.
The How to Get Away with Murder actress has been lauded for her portrayal of Annalise Keating, whom many consider a refreshing, middle-age lead character who openly embraces her Blackness. And tonight, she took home the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama series, becoming the first Black woman to win the category.
“The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity,” Davis said in her acceptance speech, quoting Harriet Tubman. “You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there. So here’s to all the writers, the awesome people…people who have redefined what it means to be beautiful, to be sexy, to be a leading woman, to be Black. And to the Taraji P. Hensons, the Kerry Washingtons…Thank you for taking us over that line.”
This is the first time in Emmys history that two Black women have been nominated for the category (Taraji P. Henson scored a nod for her portrayal of Cookie in Fox’s Empire).
Congratulations on your victory, Viola!