Our lives were improved by watching Viola Davis and Taraji P. Henson star as Annalise Keating and Cookie Lyon on ABC’s How to Get Away With Murder and Fox’s Empire, respectively. And thankfully, the Emmy gods noticed, nominating both women for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
But now, their badassery on these burgeoning primetime series isn’t merely impressive – it’s historic. Davis and Henson are the first black women to be nominated for the same Emmy category. The announcement comes two years after Kerry Washington was nominated for her slayage on Scandal in 2013 and 2014, although we’re still bitter she didn’t win either year.
Prior to that, however, Cicely Tyson was the last black woman to be nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and that was in 1995 *smh.* While we’re still pissed a black woman has yet to take home an Emmy in that category, Tyson is nominated for Oustanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series this year for her own role as Davis’ mother, Ophelia, on HTGAWM.
Fingers crossed Davis or Henson make history again very soon – this time, with a win!
Photos via ABC and Fox
Read more at Bust.com:
Viola Davis Rejects The Phrase ‘Classic Beauty’ After Accepting Her People’s Choice Award
Get That Look: Channel Your Inner Cookie From Empire
Here’s What Happens When Cookie Lyon Meets Cookie Monster
