Tramell Tillman has made Emmy Awards history, becoming the first Black actor to win Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. The 40-year-old actor was honored for his compelling performance as Seth Milchick in the Apple TV+ series Severance at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on January 15, 2024.
Tillman’s win signifies a landmark moment for representation at the Emmys, breaking a longstanding barrier in one of the most competitive acting categories.His victory arrives alongside previous milestones set by Viola Davis, the first Black woman to win Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2015, and Billy Porter, the first openly gay Black man to win a lead acting award in 2019, extending a legacy of increased inclusivity within the industry.
The actor portrayed the unnerving yet cheerful macrodata refinement supervisor, Seth Milchick, in Severance, a role that propelled him to prominence. his performance, particularly a memorable scene involving a marching band in the Season 2 finale, showcased a unique blend of comedic timing and sinister undertones.
Onstage, Tillman expressed deep emotion, dedicating the award to his mother, whom he brought as his date. “My first acting coach was tough, y’all, but all great mothers are,” Tillman said. “This is for you. I am full, I am humbled, I am honored.”
Tillman’s win came after besting a competitive field of nominees including his Severance co-stars Zach Cherry and John Turturro, and also walton Goggins, Jason isaacs, Sam Rockwell (The White Lotus), and James Marsden (Paradise).
