Tramell Tillman’s efficiency evaluation on “Severance” did not go notably nicely in season 2, however in actual life, Tillman took house tv’s most prestigious award for his efficiency as Lumon supervisor Seth Milchick — and he made historical past within the course of.
Tillman grew to become the primary Black man to win Excellent Supporting Actor in a Drama Collection, in addition to the primary overtly homosexual Black man to take house the statue. (Colman Domingo and Billy Porter grew to become the primary overtly homosexual Black males to win Excellent Visitor Actor in a Drama Collection and Excellent Lead Actor in a Drama Collection for “Euphoria” and “Pose,” respectively.) In 2015, Viola Davis received Excellent Lead Actress in a Drama because of her soapy sequence “Easy methods to Get Away With Homicide,” and Sterling Okay. Brown then made historical past along with his win in 2017 for Lead Actor in a Drama Collection. Gail Fisher was the primary Black supporting actress in a drama sequence to take house the gold in 1970 for “Mannix.” As for comedy, when Quinta Brunson received her Emmy for Excellent Lead Actress in a Comedy Collection in 2023, she was the second Black actress to ever obtain this feat, after Isabel Sanford received for “The Jeffersons” 42 years prior.
It ought to go with out saying that that is an embarrassing monitor file for the Emmys, contemplating that the award class Tillman received has been round for over 70 years. Not less than Tillman was acknowledged this yr, although; he did not earn a nomination for the primary season of the Apple TV+ sequence, and he ought to have. With out Tillman’s Mr. Milchick, I do not suppose “Severance” can be fairly as nice as it’s, and the present’s second season completely addressed the complexities of Milchick’s place at Lumon Industries.
Severance season 2 gave Tramell Tillman’s Mr. Milchick a hard-hitting storyline
Tramell Tillman’s demeanor and line supply has been an enormous spotlight of “Severance” from the beginning, however in season 2, we acquired a greater take a look at Seth Milchick’s internal turmoil in the case of Lumon Industries. There is not any query that Mr. Milchick is likely one of the present’s “dangerous guys,” however issues aren’t essentially black and white — although Mr. Milchick is likely one of the folks retaining the worker’s innies, or their work “selves,” captive on the severed flooring of Lumon.
In “Severance” season 2, Mr. Milchick is in bother along with his bosses proper from the beginning after letting macrodata refiners Mark S. (Adam Scott), Helly R. (Britt Decrease, one other first-time winner at this yr’s Emmys), Irving B. (John Turturro), and Dylan G. (Zach Cherry) breach containment and enter the “actual” world. Issues solely worsen with superiors like Darri Ólafsson’s Mr. Drummond when it is revealed that Helena Eagan, heiress to Lumon as an entire, was posing as her personal innie (Helly R.) and is almost drowned by Irving B.
Throughout his efficiency evaluation within the aftermath of the Helena-Helly R. debacle, Mr. Drummond chastises Mr. Milchick for utilizing phrases he deems “too large” and erudite, which appears like a horrible twist on white folks giving Black folks the backhanded praise of being “eloquent” or “articulate.” Finally, Mr. Milchick tells Mr. Drummond to “devour feculence,” clarifying that he means “eat sh**,” however his discomfort along with his function at Lumon additionally turns into apparent when he receives a portrait of Lumon founder Kier Eagan reimagined as a Black man. (Kier is, canonically, white.) Perturbed by this, Mr. Milchick tries to ask the Lumon board consultant Natalie Kalen (Sydney Cole Alexander), a Black girl, if she additionally obtained a portrait of Kier as a Black man, however she avoids his query, leaving him extra pissed off than earlier than.
It is too quickly to say whether or not or not Mr. Milchick will do the proper factor and assist the innies in his purview escape the horrors of the severed flooring. However giving him this disaster in season 2 of “Severance” was a superb transfer for the writers, letting Mr. Milchick notice absolutely that his superiors at Lumon will “different” him it doesn’t matter what.
The primary-time winners crammed this yr’s Emmys ceremony with unbridled pleasure
When Tramell Tillman was introduced because the winner of the Emmy for excellent supporting actor in a drama, the clearly overwhelmed actor acquired on stage and delivered a gorgeous, heartfelt speech. “You keep in mind what you need to keep in mind,” Tramell mused. “You find time for what you need to find time for. Do the work. Present up. And most significantly, for the love of God, do not embarrass me in public. My first appearing coach was robust, y’all. However all nice moms are.” After dedicating his award to his mom, who was tearfully watching from the viewers, Tillman concluded, “I’m full. I’m humbled. And as my mama would say, ‘Oh, take a look at God!”
Tillman’s infectious and joyful power helped make the remainder of this Emmys ceremony largely memorable and pleasant (regardless of the host’s finest efforts to spoil it). Tillman’s colleague Britt Decrease received for finest actress in a drama sequence, and as she held a bit of paper that contained her speech, the again learn “LET ME OUT” — a hilarious Easter egg for “Severance” followers. Cristin Milioti, Jeff Hiller, and Katherine LaNasa all grew to become first-time winners for “The Penguin,” “Someone Someplace,” and “The Pitt,” respectively, and all of their speeches introduced the home down, whether or not it was Hiller reminiscing about how folks largely inspired him to give up appearing (saying he was usually instructed, “Perhaps computer systems?” concerning a possible profession), Milioti yelling that she loves appearing, or LaNasa letting out a joyful scream.
Tillman’s win in his class is, sadly, historic, and I say “unlucky” as a result of this milestone ought to have occurred many years in the past. With that mentioned, it introduced audiences and “Severance” followers immense pleasure to look at such a gifted performer of colour make historical past on the Emmys.
“Severance” is streaming on Apple TV+ now.
