On Sunday, the second night of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, Ava DuVernay’s When They See Us landed their first Emmy for Outstanding Movie/Limited Series Casting.
The series, which earned 16 nominations, tells the story of the Central Park Five, five teenage boys wrongly convicted of sexually assaulting a jogger in Central Park. The cast features young actors Jharrel Jerome, Asante Blackk, Ethan Herisse, Caleel Harris and Marquis Rodriguez.
Director Ava DuVernay took to Twitter to congratulate casting director Aisha Coley, writing, “So happy for this wonderful woman! First nomination. First win. Aisha Coley has won the Emmy for her work in casting WHEN THEY SEE US, along with the great Billy Hopkins. Overjoyed!”
The series also landed nominations in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie category for Jharrel Jerome and Outstanding Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for both Niecy Nash and Aunjanue Ellis. Michael K. Williams and Asante Blackk also earned nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie.
The remaining categories will air during the 71st Primetime Emmys on September 22 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.