Tramell Tillman makes history as first black actor to win best supporting actor in a drama for ‘Severance’ at Emmy Awards 2025

Tramell Tillman, the actor who plays Seth Milchick on Apple TV+’s “Severance,” made Emmy history Sunday night(September 14), winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series at the 77th Emmy Awards. Tillman’s victory marks the first time a Black man has taken home the statuette in that category.

Tillman, who was a first-time Emmy nominee, accepted the award from the stage at the Peacock Theater and dedicated the moment to his mother, who was seated in the audience. In a warm, nervous acceptance, he told the crowd, “You remember what you want to remember. You make time for what you want to make time for, do the work, show up, and most importantly, for the love of God, don’t embarrass me in public.”

He added, “My first acting coach was tough, y’all, but all great mothers are. Mama, you were there for me when no one else was and no one else would show up.


Tillman’s fellow nominees included his “Severance” co-star Zach Cherry and John Turturro, plus Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Sam Rockwell, and James Marsden . The Emmy for supporting actor in a drama, first awarded in its current form decades ago, had not previously produced a Black male winner until now. “Severance” arrived as the most-nominated series of the year, with 27 nominations for its second season, and it picked up multiple early wins at the ceremony. Tillman’s triumph is among a string of awards for the show this season.