The Television Academy has announced the recipients of its 17th Television Academy Honors. Recipients include four unscripted series and three scripted series.
Each year, the Television Academy Honors recognizes programs that raise awareness of complex social issues.
“This year’s honorees have harnessed the power of medium to spark meaningful conversations and create social impact,” said Cris Abrego, chairman of the Television Academy. “We recognize their commitment to authentic, powerful storytelling that addresses important social issues that affect global audiences.”
The honorees will be celebrated at a recognition ceremony scheduled for Thursday, May 23, at Citizen News in Hollywood, California.
Recipients are:
1000% Me: Growing up mixed (Get Lifted Film Company; HBO Documentary Films). This documentary from four-time Emmy winner W. Kamau Bell explores what it means to grow up mixed-race in America through conversations with biracial children and their families in the San Francisco Bay Area, including his own. Bell explores the joys and challenges of being biracial in a country that remains deeply divided based on race. (HBO|Max)
The 1619 Project (Harpo; Lionsgate Television; One Story Up Productions; The New York Times; Onyx Collective). This Emmy-winning nonfiction series is a dramatic expansion of The 1619 Project, created by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Nikole Hannah-Jones and The New York Times Magazine. The series seeks to reframe America’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the center of the national narrative and addressing issues surrounding racial justice, economic justice, reproductive justice, racism, democracy, criminal justice, and concerned with reparations. (Hulu)
A little light (ABC Signature; Keshet Studios; National Geographic). This Emmy-nominated limited series starring Bel Powley and Liev Schreiber tells the remarkable story of Miep Gies, a Dutch woman who risked her life for nearly two years during World War II to save Anne Frank and her family from the Nazis protect. With Miep’s story more relevant than ever, this series presents the true account of an ordinary secretary who showed extraordinary courage during one of history’s darkest moments. (National Geographic)
BEEF (A24; universal remote control; Netflix). Created by Lee Sung Jin, this eight-time Emmy-winning series is an honest portrayal of loneliness and depression in the modern world. In BEEF, a road rage incident between two strangers – played by Emmy-winning actors Steven Yeun and Ali Wong – sparks a feud that brings out their darkest impulses. (Netflix)
Gridlock: How America Shaped the Supreme Court (Showtime Documentaries; Showtimes Networks; Trilogy Films). This documentary series examines the critical role the Supreme Court plays in the ongoing fight for civil liberties in the context of America’s changing political landscape. From Chief Justice Earl Warren in the mid-20th century to recent sessions under Chief Justice John Roberts, each of the four episodes provides an in-depth look at pivotal cases that changed the face of the union. The series addresses issues of the justice system, civil rights, women’s rights and LGBTQ+ rights. (Show time)
Heart stopper (See Saw Movies; Netflix). Based on the world’s best-selling graphic novels by author and creator Alice Oseman, Heart stopper Starring Kit Connor and Joe Locke, the film explores the relationship between teenagers Charlie and Nick, who discover their unlikely friendship may be something more as they navigate school and young love. The critically acclaimed coming-of-age series celebrates the spectrum of LGBTQIA+ teenhood by centering its story and characters on queer love. (Netflix)
Lakota Nation vs. United States (Unceded Films, LLC; IFC Films). This documentary chronicles the Lakota Indians’ fight to protect their sacred lands. This visually stunning program about Native Americans is a provocative testament to a country and a people that have survived displacement, exploitation and genocide – and whose best days lie ahead. (AMC+)