Viola Davis, the late Chadwick Boseman and John Boyega were among the amazing Black talent that received nominations in the 2021 Golden Globes, announced on Wednesday 3 February.
Announcing this year’s film and TV nominations via live video stream, Hollywood actresses Taraji P. Henson and Sarah Jessica Parker hosted the Golden Globes, which annually signifies the launch of ‘awards season’.
The nominations gave a nod to some of our most celebrated Black talent and features a record three women in the directors list for the first time, including to Regina King for her directorial debut One Night In Miami. But, a few of the year’s most celebrated performances and shows were nowhere to be found on the nominations list.
There were no surprises when Henson announced the “Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama” nominees, which included Academy-award winning actress Viola Davis for her outstanding performance as Ma Rainey in highly-rated Netflix original film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Viola Davis has previously won “Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture” in 2017 and has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award every year for the past twelve years running!
The late Chadwick Boseman also received a nomination for “Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama”
The late Chadwick Boseman also received a nomination for “Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama” in his last role as Levee Green in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. This is Boseman’s only Golden Globe nomination.
Daniel Kaluuya led the British contingent for nominations. Having first appeared in the first two seasons of Skins, his breakout film role in Get out, Black Panther and the critically acclaimed Queen and Slim, Kaluuya has been causing a stir stateside with his lead role in Judas and the Black Messiah, for which he secured a “Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture” nomination. The film also received a nomination for “Best Song Motion Picture.”
John Boyega also received a nomination for “Best Supporting Actor – Television” for his role in Small Axe, as well as Don Cheadle receiving a nomination for “Best Television Actor” and Leslie Odom Jr who has received a nomination for alongside Daniel Kaluuya for “Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture”.
Disney Pixar comedy-drama film Soul, which features the studios first Black protagonist has received two nominations – one for “Best Score Motion Picture” and another for “Best Picture – Animated”.
Despite the number of great nominees, we can’t help but feel a little disappointed that two of the best series on TV last year were largely overlooked in the nominations.
Image Credit: BBC / McQueen Limited/Parisa Taghizadeh
The phenomenal HBO drama series Lovecraft Country, a show that can only be described as ‘Black Excellence’, which followed Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors), Letitia Lewis (Jurnee Smollet) and Uncle George (Courtney B. Vance) and their exploits across 1950s Jim Crow America in search of his missing father did receive a nomination for “Best Drama Series”, but didn’t acknowledge the creator Misha Green or any of the wonderful actors including our fave Wunmi Mosaku, who played Ruby Baptiste.
The disappointment on Twitter is palpable
The disappointment on Twitter is palpable over the fact that Michaela Coel’s BBC drama I May Destroy You was overlooked.
The hilarious yet though-provoking comedy series has been repeatedly praised and described as “one of the best TV shows of 2020.” The series sensitively explored complicated topics such as consent, yet still managed to make us laugh out loud and was not only written and created by Coel, but she starred in it too!
I May Destroy You was definitely snubbed. There is absolutely nothing like it to ever exist and I know many other productions will draw inspiration from Michaela Coel. She deserves her flowers
— OLONI BABY (@Oloni) February 3, 2021
Oloni tweeted: “I May Destroy You was definitely snubbed. There is absolutely nothing like it to ever exist and I know many other productions will draw inspiration from Michaela Coel. She deserves her flowers.”
In the wake of #Oscarssowhite in recent years, we wonder if Golden Globes have gone far enough to recognise Black talent. With only eight out of the 80 nominations for Best Actors or Supporting Actors being Black, you decide.
The 78th Golden Globes will take place on 28 February. Visit Golden Globes for the full list of nominees
