Emmys 2020: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Dedicates His Award To The Black Women In His Life

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II bagged a Primetime Emmy Awards 2020 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his role in HBO's successful miniseries Watchmen. The American actor, who has played multiple roles on the show, dedicated the award to "all the Black women" in his life during his acceptance speech.

With a brief look into the theme of the show, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II explained how it was relevant to Black experience and identity, choosing to dedicate his award to Black women. "Watchmen was a story about trauma. It was a story about the lasting scars of... white domestic terrorism. It was a story about police corruption and brutality, but in the midst of all that, it was also a story about a god who came down to Earth to reciprocate, to a Black woman, all the love she deserved... So, I dedicate this award to all of the Black women in my life."

Watch his speech

"I dedicate this award to all the Black women in my life," Yahya Abdul-Mateen II says in his #Emmys acceptance speech pic.twitter.com/OUqn77njVF

"I dedicate this award to all the Black women in my life," Yahya Abdul-Mateen II says in his #Emmys acceptance speech pic.twitter.com/OUqn77njVF

— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) September 21, 2020

Also Read: #SayHerName Because Black Women’s Lives Matter Equally

Watchmen Bags Best Limited Series, Record For Any Comic Adaptation

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, essentially an architect-turned-actor, began his screen career in 2016. He has previously made appearances in successful projects, including Jordan Peele's Us and as the villain Black Manta in DC's Aquaman. 

In Watchmen, which is also a DC comic adaptation set in an alternate time where vigilantes tackle racial injustice, Abdul-Mateen appears through eight episodes as characters Cal Abar, Jon Osterman, and Doctor Manhattan.

Watchmen made a record win this year for Best Limited Series, making it the first time that a comic book adaptation won a major Emmy.

Also Read: Challenge Accepted: How Women Are Turning Back Time With Black And White Photos

Historical Wins At The Emmys

There was a slew of record-breaking wins at the "Pand-Emmys", as host Jimmy Kimmel called it, dominated by the shows that have earned love this past year. Canadian television show Schitt's Creek made a sweeping victory across all seven major award categories in Comedy, with the series' lead actors Daniel Levy, Anne Frances, Catherine O'Hara, and Eugene Levy all bagging top prizes for their respective roles.

Also Read: Annie Murphy wins at Emmys 2020, Get to Know the Schitt’s Creek actor

Zendaya became the youngest person at 24 to win an Emmy for her role in Euphoria, surpassing her other veteran co-nominees that included the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Sandra Oh, and Olivia Colman. During her acceptance speech, Zendaya said, "I know this feels like a really weird time to be celebrating... But I just want to say that there is hope in the young people out there."

Other awardees included HBO's hit show Succession, which swept the Drama category with top wins in Best Series, Direction, Writing, and Best Actor for star Jeremy Strong.

Image Credit: Twitter