2023 NAACP Image Awards: Meet the Onscreen Beauties in the Running for ‘Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series’
The 2023 NAACP Image Awards nominees for “Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series” include some of the most talented women in the business, like Angela Bassett, Queen Latifah, and Rutina Wesley, to name a few. Ahead of this year’s celebration, which is set to air live for the first time in three years on Saturday, Feb. 25, we’re taking a close look at award hopefuls and their latest projects that earned them some of the highest praise in Black Hollywood.
Angela Bassett / 9-1-1
Angela Bassett is Los Angeles Police Department patrol sergeant Athena Grant-Nash on Fox’s hit procedural drama series 9-1-1 from Brad Falchuk, Tim Minear, and trailblazer Ryan Murphy. Athena was married to Michael Grant, played by actor Rockmond Dunbar and has two children, May and Harry. Bassett received high praise for her performance on the show, earning several recognitions over the years since the show’s debut in 2018,
Brandee Evans / P-Valley
Former choreographer Brandee Evans slowly became one of the most must-see Black actresses thanks to her performance in Starz’s hit television series P-Valley. After earning several supporting roles in films, including Beyond the Lights, and television miniseries, such as The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story, Evans landed a lead role as Mercedes in 2020.
Queen Latifah / The Equalizer
Serving as the franchise’s second reboot, The Equalizer stars award-winning rapper and actress Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall, a divorced single mother and former CIA operative living in NYC who “uses her extensive skills to help those with nowhere else to turn, acting as a guardian angel and a defender for those who cannot defend themselves while pursuing her own redemption." There are currently three seasons out and a fourth on the way.
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Rutina Wesley / Queen Sugar
Veteran actress Rutina Wesley initially rose to fame thanks to her role as Tara Thornton on the HBO series True Blood. Following a few minor roles, Wesley landed a part in Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey-produced drama Queen Sugar as Nova Bordelon. The eldest Bordelon child, played by co-stars Kofi Siriboe and Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Nova is a journalist, activist, and healer in New Orleans.
Euphoria
Former Disney child star Zendaya wowed fans with her performance on HBO’s critically acclaimed teen drama series Euphoria. The award-winning actress portrays Ruby "Rue" Bennett, a teenage drug addict out of rehab and struggling to find her place in the world. She also serves as the show's narrator.
For her performance, the multitalented star won two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Critics' Choice Television Award, and a Golden Globe Award for ‘Best Actress.’
Watch the NAACP Image Awards live on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 8:00 pm ET/PT on BET.
