Sunday night, the 2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards was held live from the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, and for the first time streamed live on Netflix’s YouTube channel. Known for honoring the year’s best performances, there was a feeling that Black Hollywood was misrepresented at this year’s ceremony.
Creatives of color were nominated in categories such as Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture, Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role, Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series, and more, but talented entertainers like Viola Davis, Zendaya, and Angela Bassett failed to receive any awards. Quinta Brunson’s Abbott Elementary took home the actor for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, winning over the casts of Barry, The Bear, Hacks, and Only Murders in the Building.
Upon accepting the award alongside her castmates – Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, Sheryl Lee Ralph and William Stanford Davis – Brunson delivered a memorable speech. “I know for me especially, this means a lot because being a part of this ensemble means the world to me,” the actress said. “I, unfortunately, spend a lot of time on three sides of this, producer and creator. And it’s when I get to be a part of this ensemble, it allows me to — that wasn’t a humble brag, it’s the worst. But when I get to be a part of this ensemble, these people bring me back down to earth. They make me a better actor.”
“They allow me to become an actress that I’m proud of, which sometimes, acting feels like the hardest part of my job that I could tune out, but I don’t want to,” she continued. “I want to be an actor, and I want to be a good one. And to be a part of this ensemble makes me a better actor every single day. So thank you for recognizing the work of these amazing people.”
Abbott Elementary became a popular show on network television following its premiere in December of 2021. Prior to Sunday’s ceremony, Brunson’s brainchild had received several awards including three Golden Globes, six NAACP Image Awards, and two Emmys, among other accolades. Season 2 of this critically acclaimed comedy can be seen on Wednesdays at 9pm EST on ABC.
