The 2017 Emmy Awards were a great night for women in television. Not only did the two biggest awards go to women-centric series — “The Handmaid’s Tale” took home the best drama series statuette and “Veep” was named best comedy — the ceremony marked several Emmys firsts for women. “Master of None’s” Lena Waithe is now the first black woman to win an Emmy for best comedy writing, for example. What’s more, winners like Waithe, Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, and Elisabeth Moss used their speeches to honor women’s stories and the social issues women face every day.
Here are some of the highlights from last night’s ceremony:
Nicole Kidman Shines a Light on Domestic Abuse
Kidman, who won best lead actress in a limited series for portraying “Big Little Lies’” Celeste, a woman caught in an abusive marriage, took a moment from her speech to acknowledge the pervasiveness of domestic abuse in the real world. “Sometimes when you’re acting you get a chance to bring a bigger message,” the Oscar-winning actress observed. “We shine a light on domestic abuse [in “BLL”]. It is a complicated, insidious disease. It exists far more than we allow ourselves to know. It is filled with shame, secrecy, and by you acknowledging me with this award it shines a light on it even more.”
Lena Waithe Thanks Her LGBTQIA Family
Waithe and Aziz Ansari shared an Emmy for writing “Thanksgiving,” an episode of “Master of None” that traces the years-long coming out story of Waithe’s character, Denise. Waithe used her time at the podium to recognize her “LGBTQIA family.” “I see each and every one of you,” she gushed. “The things that make us different — those are superpowers. Every day when you walk out the door and put on your imaginary cape and go out there an conquer the world, because the world would not be as beautiful as it is if we weren’t in it.”
Waithe, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Reed Morano Blaze Some Trails
As mentioned, last night’s ceremony saw many firsts for women in TV. Louis-Dreyfus became the first performer to win six consecutive Emmys for the same role. Until this year’s Emmy Awards, Louis-Dreyfus had been sharing the record with “Murphy Brown’s” Candice Bergen.
Perhaps most exciting is Reed Morano’s outstanding directing for a drama series victory for “The Handmaid’s Tale.” The “Meadowland” helmer is the first woman in 22 years to take home the honor. The last time a woman was recognized in the category was in 1995, when Mimi Leder won an Emmy for directing an episode of “ER.” This honor couldn’t be more well-deserved, but damn, 22 years is a depressing amount of time to go without a woman winning this award, so as sweet as this victory is, it’s a powerful reminder of how little recognition women directors have received.
Women-Centric Series Dominate the Night
All three of the “best series” prizes went to women-driven shows: “The Handmaid’s Tale” won outstanding drama series, “Veep” outstanding comedy series, and “Big Little Lies” outstanding limited series. If that wasn’t exciting enough, “Handmaid’s Tale” also saw wins for Morano and stars Elisabeth Moss and Ann Dowd. Adding to “BLL’s” success was Kidman’s win and Laura Dern’s for best supporting actress in a limited series or movie.
When “BLL” was named best limited series, stars Kidman and Reese Witherspoon both called for more stories about women on the small screen. “Bring women to the front of their own stories, make them the hero of their own stories,” Witherspoon emphasized. Kidman added that her creative partnership with Witherspoon on “BLL” came from “a frustration because we weren’t getting great roles. So, now, more great roles for women, please.” (It must be noted, however, that “BLL” was written and directed by men. As important as it is for women to get great roles, we also need to ensure they get great roles behind-the-scenes too.)
During her speech Moss specifically thanked Margaret Atwood, who wrote “The Handmaid’s Tale” novel. “Thank you for you did in 1985 and thank you for what you continue to do for all of us,” Moss said. The author appeared onstage — and received a huge reaction from attendees — when “The Handmaid’s Tale” was named outstanding drama series. She’s credited as a supervising producer on the dystopian drama.
“Well, one take-away would be ‘never believe it can never happen here,’” Atwood herself told the LA Times about the underlying message of “The Handmaid’s Tale.” About the series’ Emmy win, she said: “In a way, you can say the handmaids have escaped. They’re out there, and they’re coming to you again in Season 2!”
All of the female winners at the 2017 Emmy Awards are below. List adapted from CNN.
Outstanding drama series
“The Handmaid’s Tale”
Outstanding comedy series
“Veep”
Outstanding lead actress in a drama series
Elisabeth Moss, “The Handmaid’s Tale”
Outstanding supporting actress in a drama series
Ann Dowd, “The Handmaid’s Tale”
Outstanding lead actress in a comedy series
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep”
Outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series
Kate McKinnon, “Saturday Night Live”
Outstanding limited series
“Big Little Lies”
Outstanding lead actress in a limited series
Nicole Kidman, “Big Little Lies”
Outstanding supporting actress in a limited series or movie
Laura Dern, “Big Little Lies”
Outstanding writing for a comedy series
Lena Waithe, “Master of None” (with Aziz Ansari)
Outstanding directing for a drama series
Reed Morano, “The Handmaid’s Tale”
