Severance's Tramell Tillman First Black Actor Wins Emmy Supporting Drama

Tramell Tillman made history at the 2025 Emmy Awards by becoming the first Black man to win the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series category for his role as Seth Milchick in Apple TV+’s Severance. Tillman’s portrayal transformed Milchick from a potential one-dimensional corporate enforcer into a complex, unsettling figure embodying the show's themes of control, which critics praised as a key element in defining the series' tense atmosphere. The category was highly competitive, featuring co-stars Zach Cherry and John Turturro from Severance, alongside nominees from HBO’s The White Lotus and Hulu’s Paradise. This win marks Tillman’s first Emmy nomination and victory, and he is also the first openly gay Black man to be nominated and win in this category, continuing a legacy of barrier-breaking achievements by Black actors in Emmy history. Tillman acknowledged the complexity of his character, rejecting a simple villain label, and dedicated his win to his mother during his acceptance speech. Severance’s strong presence at the Emmys, with 27 nominations this year, highlights the show's critical acclaim and the increasing prominence of supporting roles in shaping compelling television drama.