Yahya Abdul-Mateen II won the honor for best supporting actor in a limited series or movie for his role in HBO’sWatchmen, at the 72nd annual Emmy Awards on Sunday.
After shouting out his family, co-star Regina King and showrunner Damon Lindelof, the actor described the HBO series as a story about “trauma.”
“It was a story about the lasting scars of white domestic violence — white domestic terrorism, pardon me. It was a story about police corruption and brutality,” he said. “But in the midst of all that, it was also a story about a guy who came down to earth to reciprocate to a black woman all the love that she deserved.”
“He offers her sacrifices and support. Passion. Protection. And he did all that in the body of a black man,” he continued. “I’m so proud that I was able to walk into those shoes, so I dedicate this award to all the black women in my life.”
This is Abdul-Mateen’s first Emmy nomination and first Emmy win.
The actor beat out Dylan McDermott (Hollywood), Jim Parsons (Hollywood), Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. The Reverend), Jovan Adepo (Watchmen) and Louis Gossett Jr. (Watchmen) for the best supporting actor in a limited series honor.
The 2020 Primetime Emmys were hosted by Jimmy Kimmel inside the Staples Center and took place virtually on Sunday.
