• Celebrity
    • OTE – Screen Kings
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Best In Black Beauty 2023
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND CONSCIOUSNESS MEET

Sign up for ESSENCE Newsletters the keep the Black women at the forefront of conversation.

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
Select the newsletters you'd like to receive:
Please select at least one option.
By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • OTE – Screen Kings
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Best In Black Beauty 2023
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Entertainment

Courtney B. Vance Honors Michael K. Williams After Emmy Win, Criticizes 'Lovecraft Country' Cancelation

"I’m very happy, but at the same time I’m very sad because of Michael, and because we’re not doing the show," he said of his Emmy gold.
Courtney B. Vance Honors Michael K. Williams, Criticizes ‘Lovecraft’ Cancelation After Emmy Win
By Rivea Ruff · Updated September 13, 2021

Courtney B. Vance took home the award for guest actor in a drama series at the Creative Arts Emmys on Sunday night, recognizing his role as George Freeman on HBO’s hit horror drama series Lovecraft Country. 

However, the honor was a bittersweet moment for Vance, who is still reeling from the sudden death of co-star Michael K. Williams last Monday. He and Williams played brothers with painful and sordid pasts on Lovecraft Country, each garnering critical acclaim and award nominations for their powerful performances. 

While appearing before press backstage shortly after his big win, and expressed an overwhelming sadness over his co-star’s passing. 

“I love him,” he said before fondly remembering meeting Williams after a long period of mutual admiration from afar. 

Courtney B. Vance Honors Michael K. Williams, Criticizes ‘Lovecraft’ Cancelation After Emmy Win

“This is his,” he said, gesturing to his Emmy award. “We were brothers. I died in the series and we said goodbye to each other, so – it’s just too painful to really think about. So, I just honor him everywhere and every way I can.”

Williams is also up for a now-posthumous Emmy nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Montrose Freeman on Lovecraft Country. In fact, the show has made history as the first program to feature a Black nominee in every acting category, despite its cancelation after only one season on-air. 

This piece of irony is not lost on Vance, who minced no words when expressing his confusion and disappointment that the hit show was not granted a multi-season run, like many of its counterparts on the same network. 

“I’m very happy, but at the same time I’m very sad because of Michael, and because we’re not doing the show,” he said of his win. “In my mind and in my spirit, it doesn’t make sense. That something that was as successful as that show was, that the powers that be could not figure it out.” 

Courtney B. Vance Honors Michael K. Williams, Criticizes ‘Lovecraft’ Cancelation After Emmy Win

“I’m sad for audiences that we don’t get to see, like Game of Thrones, 7 years, 8 years of following these characters and learning more about the time period, and learning about our people and their struggles, and where Misha’s (Greene, Lovecraft Country writer/showrunner) mind was going to go,” he said. “So that’s very painful for me as a fan and me as an actor.”  

“And I’m tired of it, personally,” he added. “I’m tired of that scenario. They can find a way to make a Game of Thrones, but not a Lovecraft Country.” 

Vance closed his commentary with hope that the show continues to clean up in the Emmys, picking up additional accolades “to send a message.” 

COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now