LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tramell Tillman is the primary Black man to win an Emmy for excellent supporting actor in a drama collection for his function in “Severance.”
Tillman spoke backstage Sunday in regards to the “beautiful work” that scores of Black actors have achieved earlier than him, together with the late Andre Braugher and Michael Ok. Williams.
“I’ve been taken by their work for years and I’ve borrowed from them, so I’m simply honored to be within the class,” Tillman mentioned.
Tillman, 40, thanked his mom in his acceptance speech, who he instructed reporters backstage “was there for me when no one else was and when no one else could be. There’s nothing like a mother’s love.”
His win introduced a complete of eight Emmy awards for ” Severance,” which led nominations this 12 months with a complete of 27 nods. Britt Decrease additionally took residence finest lead actress in a drama for the present. The Apple TV+ thriller collection, facilities on an workplace the place staff’ recollections are surgically divided between their work and private lives.
Tillman performs Seth Milchick, the ground supervisor who is taken into account one of many present’s essential antagonists, given his loyalty to the corporate, Lumon.
Milchick’s Blackness was integral to the character’s storyline, Tillman mentioned, including that he hoped to painting the character as “a man that was aware of his race and aware that he was in a place where he was one of few.”
The second season explored “how race folds into the world of Lumon,” he mentioned.
“I by no means wished to lose sight of that and I’m grateful that I used to be part of a crew that additionally didn’t need to lose sight of that,” Tillman mentioned.
Tillman studied drugs as an undergrad, earlier than he discovered his ardour for appearing, a profession that he was instructed “leads to a dead end.”
“I was actually inspired at Xavier University by so many of my classmates who are now doctors and dentists, how they were pursuing the thing that they’re passionate about, and I said, ‘Well, if they can do that, why can’t I do what I’m passionate about?’” Tillman mentioned.
