Team Experience is sharing Dream Emmy nominations this week. Here's Deborah Lipp
Reading the list of eligible Emmy performances is an eye-opening survey of how much good and great TV I’ve seen this year—and how much I’ve missed. How can anyone single out an individual, or a few individuals, from this sea of excellence? There is no doubt that Orange is the New Black is a great show, and my favorite show, but even narrowing the list to performances from that one show is daunting.
But then there is Samira Wiley...
As Poussey Washington, Wiley had to keep the audience centered in her basic humanity and goodness, while still being believable. The performance had to be grounded and relatable and very, very real. All of this was crucial if Season 4, Episode 12, The Animals, was going to work. (SPOILERS AHEAD)
Characters have died on this show before; characters we pitied, and characters we hated. But Poussey’s death was only meaningful if we understood her as innocent, and good, and also complex enough to get under our skin. It’s not an easy task, but Wiley handled it deftly.
Poussey confronting Brooke over her racism, and then falling in love with her. Calling Brooke a “pillow princess”. Being, always, an advocate for decency. None of this is an easy position to hold in the madness of Litchfield, nor is it easy to win the audience’s love in such a huge and complex ensemble. For doing all this, for making us grieve her loss, for bringing soul and love into the heart of the madness that was OITNB season 4, I ask you to consider Samira Wiley as Poussey Washington for Outstanding Supporting Actress In a Drama Series.
Other FYCs
Eva Green in Penny Dreadful
Music for Big Little Lies
Judith Light in Transparent
Master of None for Best Comedy
Comedy Moms in Best Actress
The Americans for Best Drama
Aubrey Plaza in Legion
Justin Theroux in The Leftovers
Difficult People for Best Comedy