Storm Reid won her first Emmy at the 75th annual Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Saturday. The talented actress secured the title of outstanding guest actress in a drama series for her performance in HBO’s The Last of Us.
Touched and overwhelmed with emotion, Reid tearfully accepted the award, expressing her gratitude to her friends, family. She exclaimed, “I’m such a mess!” she said. “This is proof you can do anything. I’m just a young girl from Atlanta, Georgia.”
Reflecting on her role as Riley in The Last of Us, Reid admitted to reporters that while she knew the project would be special, she didn’t anticipate the depth of its impact.
“I’m just so grateful to the show for allowing me to really, re-fall in love with storytelling,” she said. “It’s not that I fell out of love with storytelling, but I think my role in The Last of Us really reinforced my love and passion to be able to tell meaningful stories and to be a representation for young women, young Black women, young, queer Black women. I’m grateful to Bella, Craig [Mazin] and the entire team for making the show. It was absolutely special to watch and I always say that I feel like I would be a big fan of the show, even if I wasn’t a part of the show.”
In the sci-fi drama series, Reid portrayed Riley in a single episode titled “Left Behind,” a flashback featuring her character as the best friend and almost lover of Bella Ramsey’s character, Ellie. The poignant episode captures the last meeting between the two friends, culminating in a heartfelt kiss, showcasing the exceptional performances of both actors.
The Emmy win marks a significant milestone for Reid, whose breakthrough performance as Meg in 2018’s A Wrinkle in Time also garnered acclaim. The Last of Us secured an additional seven awards during the ceremony, setting the stage for potential success at the upcoming award ceremony on January 15, 2024.
