Emmy 2023: The Last Of Us Creator Hopes Non-Binary Actors Like Bella Ramsey Are Recognized In Their Own Category
It’s no secret that, for the past few years, nominations for film and television have been the subject of controversy over the demand for inclusion of non-binary people among its awardees.
The Last of Us: Bella Ramsey thanks “her sidekick” Pedro Pascal after Emmy nominations
Within the framework of the Primetime Emmy Awards nominations, a new controversy arose, as Bella Ramsey, the lead performer of the successful The Last of Us (97%), was nominated in the category of Best Leading Actress in a Drama Series.
Hopes for Recognition
In this regard, the co-creator of the series, Craig Mazin, told Variety that, although at the moment the situation represents a challenge for the industry, hopes non-binary artists get the recognition they deserve soon.
And it is that after rising as an impressive number of 24 nominations, where its protagonists stand out, the MAX series was one of the most followed and acclaimed stories of this year that is well worth a fair recognition to its actors. It is a really interesting challenge.
On the one hand, the conversation about gender has transformed dramatically and in a very progressive and positive way. On the other hand, we have to make sure that by moving away from gender categories, we are not erasing people who have been traditionally overlooked. …and we know that, in non-gendered categories like directing and writing, women have historically been underappreciated. I don’t know the answer, but I have every expectation that non-binary artists will soon be recognized with the respect and ways they deserve.
Importance of Pronouns
Non-binary actors who identify with the pronouns elle (they/them in English), have participated been actively involved in the conversation on this topic over the past few months. In a recent interview with British Vogue, Ramsey said that these pronouns align more with their identity, so keep in mind that referring to each person with the pronouns with which they identify is one of the most important factors in preventing discrimination.
Emma D’Arcy’s Experience
Another notable figure that has been affected by this problem is Emma D’Arcy, protagonist of The House of the Dragon (91%), where she gives life to the character Rhaenyra Targaryen, fan favorite who has been widely praised for her work. D’Arcy also identifies as non-binary and last January expressed her surprise at being nominated in the Best Actress category at the Golden Globes.
When I started out, I really felt like I had to fake it, present myself as a woman to be successful. in this industry. It wasn’t sustainable anyway, and I stopped pretending, and weirdly, it was at that moment that I was nominated for Best Actress at the Golden Globes. Which is beautifully ironic. I think the most important thing is that it implies that the space for trans people and gender non-conforming people is getting bigger and bigger. Therefore, I feel very privileged.
Changes in Awards Ceremonies
But there is good news for those who still think that this reconciliation is impossible, because although several awards ceremonies are still grappling with how to handle the acting categories, the Gotham Awards have taken the initiative in the implementation of changes.
In 2021, the Gotham Institute of Film and Media announced a change in gender distinctions, opting for Outstanding Lead Performance and Outstanding Supporting Performance Awards instead of the traditional Best Actor and Best Actress categories. The performer’s gender is no longer a determining factor in these awards, and while this modification builds on the Gotham Breakthrough Actor Award, which has been gender-neutral since its inception 24 years ago, it’s still possible to find other directions to address it. For now, the important thing is that this conversation is on the table, and a large percentage of industry members are willing to make things change for the better in the near future.
Conclusion
Emmy 2023: The House of Dragon is nominated for Best Drama Series
