Angela Bassett’s Emmy win: A milestone in narration
A night to remember
Angela Bassett has added another feather to her cap by winning an Emmy Award for outstanding narration in National Geographic’s nature documentary, Queens. The award was presented on the first night of the Creative Arts Emmys, marking a significant achievement in her illustrious career.
The journey to the win
After receiving the award, Bassett shared her thoughts on the recognition. “We don’t work for these, but we receive them for all the hard work that we do,” she remarked. Despite the award being for narration, Bassett emphasized the collaborative effort behind the project. “There’s a whole team that pursued me and believed in me, fought for me, and worked with me to tell this amazing story of females in the wild kingdom, led by an all-female production team, a first in wildlife documentary filmmaking. So that was pretty inspiring to me in and of itself.”
A break from the norm
Bassett was on a break from her role in FX’s 9-1-1 when she decided to take on the narration project. Reflecting on her decision, she humorously noted, “I was awfully tired after chasing bad guys and being a cop. The idea of an all-female crew in the wilderness telling this story and centering it on the matriarchs and the conservation they were doing—it touched my heart.”
The significance of the win
This Emmy win brings Bassett halfway to achieving an EGOT status, having already received an honorary Academy Award earlier this year. Despite being a favorite in the narrator category, Bassett was genuinely surprised when her name was announced. “This is one of the big ones, and that doesn’t usually happen,” she said. “Whenever you’re acknowledged, I’m just, you know, a girl who just wanted to act. My mentors were way out ahead of me. I just looked to them and got inspiration and hope and, and I just put my focus, my energy and my love to try to make it happen in my life and for my life.”
A heartfelt reflection
Bassett concluded with a heartfelt reflection on her journey and the recognition she has received. “So each and every day, I try to remember that first love and when this happens, I appreciate it.”
Explore more
For those interested in experiencing the documentary that earned Bassett her Emmy, you can watch the trailer for Queens here.
Angela Bassett’s win is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of diverse voices in the industry. Her journey from acting to narration showcases her versatility and dedication to her craft. As she continues to inspire and break new ground, fans and aspiring artists alike can look forward to more groundbreaking work from this incredible talent.