Emmys: Tatiana Maslany Gets Her First Lead Actress In A Drama Series Win For ‘Orphan Black’
Vindication of a sort came tonight for Orphan Black star Tatiana Maslany, (and for that matter the show’s deeply devoted fanbase), as the actress followed through her second consecutive nomination with her first Emmy win as lead actress in a drama series for BBC America’s breakout original series.
Maslany has been widely acclaimed for the multiple roles she plays on the series (11 of them by the end of season 4), but she wasn’t nominated for an Emmy until last year after the show’s third season – an oversight fans and critics alike considered a major snub. That’s all in the past however – the show now approaches its fifth and final season set to air in 2017 having picked up one of the Television Academy’s top honors.
The show is largely a character study focused on a set of identical female clones, all of which are played by Maslany. She’s been lauded for playing each character so distinctly that it can feel to viewers like separate actresses in each part. Orphan Black has a passionate fan base drawn as much by her performance as by the show’s depiction of people from all walks of life, and various sexual orientations.
“I feel so lucky to be on a show that puts women at the center,” Maslany said following her win. Speaking backstage, she added that the fact that her work has resonated with women has been a “real point of pride” for her and she also feels gratified to see the show resonate with young girls and the LGBT community.
Other nominees in the category in the 68th Emmys were last year’s lead actress in a drama series winner Viola Davis of How To Get Away With Murder, five-time Emmy nominee and Golden Globe winner Robin Wright of House of Cards, multiple Emmy winner Claire Danes of Homeland, Keri Russell of FX’s The Americans, three-time Emmy nominee and Critics’ Choice and Golden Globe winner Taraji P. Henson of Fox’s Empire.
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