Emmys 2019: Jharrel Jerome wins Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series for 'When They See Us', dedicates the award to Exonerated Five
The Emmy Award went to Jharrel Jerome for his role in 'When They See Us' as Korey Wise, one of the Exonerated Five.
The award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series was announced by Angela Bassett and Peter Krause of FOX's '9-1-1' at the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards. The nominees included Jared Harris ('Chernobyl'), Sam Rockwell ('Fosse/Verdon'), Benicio del Toro ('Escape at Dannemora'), Mahershala Ali ('True Detective'), Hugh Grant ('A Very English Scandal'), and Jharrel Jerome ('When They See Us').
Jerome played both the teenage and adult versions of Wise. This is the first award of the night for 'When They See Us'. This is also Jerome's first Emmy nomination and he received a standing ovation from the audience which included the Exonerated Five -- Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Yusef Salaam, Korey Wise, and Raymond Santana -- who were guests of Ava DuVernay -- writer and creator of the limited series. In his acceptance speech, Jerome thanked his family and DuVernay for giving him this opportunity. He especially dedicated the award to "the men, that we know as the Exonerated Five".
Jerome was previously best known for his work in the Academy Award-winning movie, 'Moonlight'.
