Emmys often ignore crime shows starring Black or POC actors who play morally questionable characters. The Wire's ensemble never received nominations, while Power, Claws, Snowfall, and HBO's Oz saw little recognition. Brian Tyree Henry earned an Outstanding Lead Actor nomination for a standout grief-filled performance. Henry's role in Dope Thief merges elements from his work in Atlanta, Widows, and If Beale Street Could Talk into a varied, deep portrayal. As Ray Driscoll he oscillates between raw openness and complete shutdown, portraying a stick-up artist, recovering addict, loyal friend, and wounded son. The eight-episode series turns thriller tropes into emotional depth and indicts systems that failed Ray.
None of the members of The Wire's sprawling ensemble ever nabbed an Emmy nomination, nor the casts of Power, Claws, or Snowfall. HBO's Oz got a grand total of one. Which is why Brian Tyree Henry's nomination for feels so remarkable. No one performed grief this year like Henry, and his nomination in Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie delivers unexpected recognition of an undeniable performance.
All those personas come together in Dope Thief's Ray Driscoll, as Henry negotiates between stick-up artist, recovering addict, loyal friend, and wounded son. In some moments, Henry is so open and raw that Ray's dreams and regrets seem etched across his face; in others, he closes himself off and shuts down so fully that we understand there are unreachable fathoms within this character.
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