The 2016 Emmy Nominations are out, and among the many takeaways from the announcement this morning is the refreshingly diverse group of actors who received acting nominations — especially in light of the #OscarsSoWhite backlash.
Miniseries like "American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson," and comedies like ABC's "Blackish," were responsible for many of the acting nominees.
Last year, there were 18 black performers nominated across all the acting categories and the host for a reality or reality-competition category. There were 18 black nominees this year too, not counting guest actor or actress nods.
However, the bulk of the nominees are still white, and while black actors got solid representation, there's a dearth of Latino/a and Asian actors — with few exceptions. Plus, the television industry is still overwhelmingly less diverse than the Emmy nominations would suggest, both in front of and behind the camera. Nobody should pat themselves on the back too hard just yet.
Still, progress is progress. Here are some of the nonwhite actors whose work was recognized this year.
Rami Malek, the star of USA's "Mr. Robot," is of Egyptian descent.
"Empire" matriarch Taraji P. Henson got a nod for her performance as Cookie Lyons, and Viola Davis was nominated for her role in "How to Get Away With Murder."
Cuba Gooding Jr. and Courtney B. Vance both got nominated for their roles in the spectacular miniseries "American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson." Gooding played O.J., while Vance played his outspoken and driven attorney, Johnny Cochran. Idris Elba got a nod for "Luther."
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