Tramell Tillman has become the first Black man to win an Emmy Award in the outstanding supporting actor in a drama series category, claiming victory for his haunting portrayal of Seth Milchick in Apple TV+’s Severance.

The historic win at Sunday night’s 2025 Emmy Awards ceremony, hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, breaks a 77-year barrier in the only acting field that had never honored a Black performer since the Emmy Awards began.

Why It Matters

Tillman’s victory represents more than an individual achievement—it closes the final gap in Emmy recognition for Black performers across major acting categories.

The milestone underscores both the ongoing evolution of television representation and the industry’s gradual recognition of diverse talent in prestige drama categories. Tillman is notably the first openly gay Black man to earn both a nomination and victory in supporting drama actor.

What To Know

The supporting drama actor category, formally established in 1970, has seen 13 Black actors accumulate 23 nominations over five decades.

The most recent nominations for Black performers came in 2021, when Giancarlo Esposito (The Mandalorian), O-T Fagbenle (The Handmaid’s Tale), and Michael K. Williams (Lovecraft Country) achieved a record three nominations in one year.

Tillman’s recognition comes during Severance’s dominant awards season, with the Apple TV+ series earning 27 Emmy nominations this year—a significant jump from 14 nominations in 2022 when Tillman was notably overlooked.

The Maryland native has become a breakout star, recently appearing alongside Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning and securing upcoming roles in Lena Dunham’s Good Sex opposite Natalie Portman and an undisclosed part in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, according to Variety.

What People Are Saying

Tramell Tillman’s Emmy acceptance speech, in part: “‘You remember what you want to remember. You make time for what you want to make time for. Do the work, show up, and most importantly, for the love of God, don’t embarrass me in public.’ My first acting coach was tough, y’all. But all great mothers are.”

Tillman said to his mother from stage: “Mama, you were there for me when no one else was and no one else would show up. Your loving kindness stays with me, and this is for you.”