Anacostia is a soap opera web series that premiered on October 15, 2009 on YouTube. It was created by Anthony A. Anderson (not to be confused with the actor of the same name), who also stars in, writes, produces, and directs the series. Anacostia chronicles the drama among residents of the titular community in Washington, D. C. Guest star Martha Byrne later became an executive producer on the series.
| Anacostia | |
|---|---|
_Season_1_title.png) Season 1 main title | |
| Created by | Anthony Anderson |
| Written by | Anthony Anderson |
| Directed by | Anthony Anderson |
| Starring |
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| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 6 |
| No. of episodes | 60 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Production company |
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| Original release | |
| Network |
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| Release | October 15, 2009 – present |
The series was nominated for a 2022 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actor In A Short Form Comedy or Drama Series (Anthony Anderson). Anthony Anderson became the first actor in history to be nominated for both a Daytime and Primetime Emmy for the same role.
The series was also nominated for a 2015 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding New Approaches Drama Series, and Martha Byrne won a Daytime Emmy the same year for Outstanding Performer in a New Approaches Drama Series for her performance as Alexis Jordan. Elizabeth Hubbard was nominated in 2016 for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series for her role as Eva Montgomery, and Anthony Anderson made history becoming the first African American to be nominated in 2017 for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama Series for his role as Sean Williams-Grey. In 2017, actress Jennifer Bassey received the show's fifth nomination, in the Outstanding Guest Performer digital category. Anacostia has the most wins at the Indie Series Awards.
In 2018, Anacostia was picked up by Amazon Video for a multi year run on the streaming platform.
Cast
edit- Anthony Anderson as Sean (2009–present)
- William Lash as Scott (2009–present)
- Tamieka Chavis as Mia (2009–present)
- Marion Akpan as Nancy (2009–present)
- Pasha Diallo as Dominique (2009–present)
- Kena Hodges as Nicole (2009–present)
- Christopher Bair as Cliff (2009–present)
- Antonio Harrison, Jr. as Que (2010–present)
- Kelvin Terrell as Ray (2011–present)
- Martha Byrne as Alexis Jordan/JoAnne Edwards (2011–present)
- India Doy as Jennifer (2011–present)
- Tandrea Parrott as Desiree' (2010–present)
- Rolfini Whidbee as Maurice (2011–present)
- Luis Valdez as Eric (2012–present)
- Alexis Robinson Smith as Melissa (2014–present)
- Tremayne Norris as Carlos (2014–present)
- Melan Perez as Salina (2014–present)
- Elizabeth Hubbard as Eva Montgomery (2015–present)
- Jennifer Bassey as Beverley Newman (2017–present)
- Lauren B. Martin as Chevonne (2018–present)
- Walter Maxfield Jones as Michael (2009–present)
- Chanté Bowser as Salina (2009–2012)
- Jermaine McNeal as Andrew (2009–2011)
- Kareem Petteway as Creeko (2009)
- Rabon Hutcherson as Andre (2009–)
- Deidra Taylor as Lashawn ("Cherry") (2011–2013)
- Darnell Lamont Walker as Julian (season 2–3)
- Carey Green as Jack (2010–present)
- Giselle Gant as Madison (2011–2013)
- Darnerien McCants as Cyrus (2011–2016)
- Tye Frazier as Brian (2011–2012)
- Tiana Harris as Ashley (2011–2012)
- Yohance Fleming as Chauncey (2011)
- Ashleigh McGill as April (2014)
- Dai Boggan as Tim (2015)
- Chris Deloatch as Clay (2015)
- Lauren Dorsey as Donatella
- Devin Nikki Thomas as Tracee James (2017–Present)
Series overview
edit| Season | # of
Episodes |
First Aired | Last Aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | 2009 | 2010 |
| 2 | 10 | 2010 | 2011 |
| 3 | 10 | 2011 | 2012 |
| 4 | 10 | 2014 | 2015 |
| 5 | 10 | 2015 | 2017 |
| 6 | 10 | 2018 | 2021 |
Episodes
edit| No. In
Series |
No. In
Season |
Episode Title | Written By | Directed By | Viewers
(in thousands) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Covet Thy Neighbor | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.032 |
| 2 | 2 | Breaking The Surface | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.015 |
| 3 | 3 | Beware of The Fine Print | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.013 |
| 4 | 4 | Always Bet on Black (Part 1) | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.011 |
| 5 | 5 | Always Bet on Black (Part 2) | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.017 |
| 6 | 6 | L.O.V.E. | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.011 |
| 7 | 7 | Bad Girl | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.011 |
| 8 | 8 | You've Got The Look | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.009 |
| 9 | 9 | The End Is Coming | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.013 |
| 10 | 10 | Arrivals & Departures | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.012 |
| No. In
Series |
No. In
Season |
Episode Title | Written By | Directed By | Viewers
(in thousands) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 1 | Scar Tissue | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.012 |
| 12 | 2 | What Will I Tell My Heart? | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.010 |
| 13 | 3 | Hello Like Before | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.042 |
| 14 | 4 | The Wheels on The Bus | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.012 |
| 15 | 5 | Checks and Balances | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.011 |
| 16 | 6 | One For The Road | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.009 |
| 17 | 7 | A House Is Not a Home | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.010 |
| 18 | 8 | Business as Usual | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.008 |
| 19 | 9 | Sins of The Past | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.010 |
| 20 | 10 | And Justice For All | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.011 |
| No. In
Series |
No. In
Season |
Episode Title | Written By | Directed By | Viewers
(in thousands) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 1 | Where Do We Go From Here | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.013 |
| 22 | 2 | Only In My Dreams | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.034 |
| 23 | 3 | Sign Your Name | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.024 |
| 24 | 4 | Helping Hands | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.023 |
| 25 | 5 | The Bigger They Are | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.028 |
| 26 | 6 | Show and Tell | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.023 |
| 27 | 7 | The Gangs All Here | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.021 |
| 28 | 8 | The Power of Goodbye | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.038 |
| 29 | 9 | Break-up To Make-up | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.028 |
| 30 | 10 | Till Death Do Us Part | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.025 |
| No. In
Series |
No. In
Season |
Episode Title | Written By | Directed By | Viewers
(in thousands) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 1 | Don't Leave Me This Way | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.015 |
| 32 | 2 | Once Upon a Time | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.016 |
| 33 | 3 | Never Say Never | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.014 |
| 34 | 4 | What Happens In Vegas | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.010 |
| 35 | 5 | R.S.V.P | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.007 |
| 36 | 6 | Do Unto Others | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.007 |
| 37 | 7 | Choices | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.006 |
| 38 | 8 | What a Fool Believes | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.006 |
| 39 | 9 | When The Bough Breaks | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.007 |
| 40 | 10 | Proxy | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.008 |
| No. In
Series |
No. In
Season |
Episode Title | Written By | Directed By | Viewers
(in thousands) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 1 | You Again | Anthony Anderson & Martha Byrne | Anthony Anderson & Martha Byrne | 0.013 |
| 42 | 2 | Why Me (Part 1) | Anthony Anderson & Martha Byrne | Anthony Anderson & Martha Byrne | 0.010 |
| 43 | 3 | Why Me (Part 2) | Anthony Anderson & Martha Byrne | Anthony Anderson & Martha Byrne | 0.006 |
| 44 | 4 | I Can See You | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.007 |
| 45 | 5 | Road Kill | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.004 |
| 46 | 6 | Speak No Evil | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.003 |
| 47 | 7 | The Knock | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.003 |
| 48 | 8 | Call It By Its Name | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.002 |
| 49 | 9 | Lost and Found | Anthony Anderson & Martha Byrne | Anthony Anderson & Martha Byrne | 0.002 |
| 50 | 10 | Confessions | Anthony Anderson & Martha Byrne | Anthony Anderson & Martha Byrne | 0.004 |
| No. In
Series |
No. In
Season |
Episode Title | Written By | Directed By | Viewers
(in thousands) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | 1 | Aftermath | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.010 |
| 52 | 2 | Like Father, Like Son | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.008 |
| 53 | 3 | 15 Minutes | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | 0.008 |
| 54 | 4 | One Wish | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | |
| 55 | 5 | Man In The Mirror | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | |
| 56 | 6 | The Life Of A Liar | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | |
| 57 | 7 | Let Me Love You | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | |
| 58 | 8 | Fourth Of July | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | |
| 59 | 9 | Secrets, Lies & Rollercoaster Rides | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson | |
| 60 | 10 | Stormy Weather | Anthony Anderson | Anthony Anderson |
Production
editAnacostia was created in 2009 by Anderson, who also writes, executive produces and stars in the series. Byrne serves as executive producer. Lora Lee, Jamie Misiak and Alexis Robinson Smith are among the series' line producers. Marion Akpan, Christopher Bair, Pasha Diallo, India Doy-Young, Antonio Harrison Jr., Kena Hodges, William Lash, Rolfini Whidbee, and Spencer Bruttig serve as producers.[1][2] Previous producers include Fritz Brekeller, the seasons 1-5 supervising producer, Tommy Zamberlan, as the seasons 1-5 Senior Producer, and Benjamin Bryant as co-executive producer of seasons 1-5.
Byrne, known for her longtime role on the defunct CBS soap opera As the World Turns, joined the series in the role of high-powered madame Alexis Jordan in 2011.[3] In September 2015, Soap Opera Digest reported that Byrne's former As the World Turns co-star Elizabeth Hubbard would also appear on Anacostia as Eva Montgomery, in scenes directed and co-written by Byrne.[3][4][5]
In early 2021, after an 18 month production hiatus, Spencer Bruttig was added to the team as the show's Cinematographer and producer.
The show has been photographed using RED, Sony and Blackmagic cinema cameras.
Over the series' successive seasons, Anderson has attempted to address a number of social issues through the series soap operatic lens, including realistic takes on mental illness, incest, male-male rape, and the real-life gentrification of the iconic D.C. neighborhood.[5]
Awards and recognition
editAnacostia was nominated for a 2022 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actor In A Short Form Comedy or Drama Series (Anthony Anderson).
Anacostia was also nominated for a 2015 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding New Approaches Drama Series,[1][2] and Martha Byrne won a Daytime Emmy the same year for Outstanding Performer in a New Approaches Drama Series for her performance as Alexis Jordan.[6] Elizabeth Hubbard was nominated in 2016 for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series for her role as Eva Montgomery.[7][8] In 2017, Anthony Anderson was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama Series for his role as Sean Williams-Grey.[9] Jennifer Bassey was nominated in 2018 for Outstanding Guest Performer in a Digital Daytime Drama Series for her portrayal of Beverly Newman.[10]
To date, the series has won fourteen Indie Series Awards,[11] and has been nominated for several more. Anthony Anderson holds the record for most Acting Nominations (18) and is also the leader for overall Nominations (26) at the Indie Series Awards.
| Year | Award | Category | Individual | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1st Indie Soap Awards | Best Ensemble | Won | [11] | |
| 2011 | 2nd Indie Soap Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor | Anthony Anderson | Won | [11] |
| Breakthrough Performance | Pasha Diallo | Won | [11] | ||
| 2012 | 3rd Indie Soap Awards | Best Guest Appearance (Drama) | Martha Byrne | Won | [11] |
| Best Writing (Drama) | Anthony Anderson | Won | [11] | ||
| 2013 | 4th Indie Soap Awards | Best Supporting Actress (Drama) | Pasha Diallo | Won | [11] |
| 2015 | 42nd Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding New Approaches Drama Series | Nominated | [1][2] | |
| Outstanding Performer in a New Approaches Drama Series | Martha Byrne | Won | [6] | ||
| 6th Indie Series Awards | Best Ensemble (Drama) | Won | [11][12] | ||
| 2016 | 43rd Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series | Elizabeth Hubbard | Nominated | [7][8] |
| 7th Indie Series Awards | Best Lead Actress (Drama) | Tamieka Chavis | Nominated | [13] | |
| Best Supporting Actress (Drama) | Tia Dae | Nominated | [13] | ||
| Best Guest Actress (Drama) | Elizabeth Hubbard | Nominated | [13] | ||
| Best Ensemble (Drama) | Nominated | [13] | |||
| 2017 | |||||
| 44th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama Series | Anthony Anderson as Sean Williams-Grey | Nominated | [9] | |
| 8th Indie Series Awards | Best Lead Actor (Drama) | Anthony Anderson | Nominated | [14] | |
| Best Supporting Actress (Drama) | Marion A. Akpan | Nominated | [14] | ||
| Best Guest Actor (Drama) | Tremayne Norris | Won | [15] | ||
| Best Guest Actress (Drama) | Elizabeth Hubbard | Nominated | [14] | ||
| Best Ensemble (Drama) | Nominated | [14] | |||
| Best Makeup | Lora Lee | Nominated | [14] | ||
| 2018 | 9th Indie Series Awards | Best Drama | Nominated | ||
| Best Lead Actor (Drama) | Anthony Anderson | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actor (Drama) | Wil Lash | Won | [11] | ||
| Best Guest Actress (Drama) | Dee Freeman | Nominated | |||
| Best Guest Actress (Drama) | Jennifer Bassey | Nominated | |||
| Best Guest Actress (Drama) | Judi Blair | Nominated | |||
| Best Guest Actor (Drama) | Tremayne Norris | Nominated | |||
| 45th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Guest Performer in a Digital Daytime Drama Series | Jennifer Bassey | Nominated | [10] | |
| 2019 | 10th Indie Series Awards | Best Guest Actress (Drama) | Lauren B. Martin | Won | [11] |
| 46th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama Series | Wil Lash | Nominated | ||
| 2022 | 74th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series | Anthony A. Anderson | Nominated |
In December 2010, Anderson was named by We Love Soaps as one of the 15 Most Fascinating People of 2010.[16]
In 2017, Gothamist Washington D.C. affiliate DCist named Anacostia "one of the best," in an article highlighting series set in the Washington D.C. area.[17]
Gallery
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c Littleton, Cynthia (March 31, 2015). "General Hospital, Ellen DeGeneres, CBS Lead Daytime Emmy Nominations". Variety. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ a b c Rodriguez, Briana (March 31, 2015). "General Hospital Leads 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations". Backstage. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ a b "Exclusive! Elizabeth Hubbard Joins Anacostia". Soap Opera Digest. September 17, 2015. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
- ^ Giddens, Jamey (September 22, 2015). "Web Series Anacostia is Staging The Mother of All As The World Turns Reunions". Daytime Confidential. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
- ^ a b Bryant, Benjamin (February 23, 2017). "Anacostia's Anthony Anderson Speaks to the Power of Daytime Drama to Tackle Sensitive Issues in New Interview". PRWeb. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
- ^ a b "CBS, PBS and The Bold and the Beautiful Lead Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Winners". Variety. April 25, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
- ^ a b "The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Announces the 43rd Annual Daytime Emmy® Award Nominations". National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. March 24, 2016. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
- ^ a b "Young & Restless Leads Daytime Emmy Noms But Ceremony Won't Be on TV". Variety. March 24, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
- ^ a b "The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Announces Nominations For the 44th Annual Daytime Emmy® Awards" (PDF). National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. March 22, 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 13, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
- ^ a b "2018 Daytime Emmy Awards Nominees". Daytime Emmy Awards. New York City: National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. 13 April 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Indie Series Awards History and Archive of Past Winners". Indie Series Awards. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
- ^ "6th Annual Indie Series Awards: Complete List of Winners". Indie Series Awards. April 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Nominations Announced For 7th Annual ISAs". Indie Series Awards. February 3, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e "Nominations Announced For 8th Annual Indie Series Awards". Indie Series Awards. February 1, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
- ^ "8th Annual Indie Series Awards Winners". Indie Series Awards. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
- ^ Mulcahy, Jr., Kevin (December 22, 2010). "We Love Soaps TV's 15 Most Fascinating People of 2010". We Love Soaps. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- ^ Staff Writer (March 9, 2017). "DCist Ten D.C.-Based Web Series You Should Watch". DCist. Archived from the original on March 11, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
External links
edit- Anacostia's channel on YouTube
- Anacostia at IMDb
- Hilton, Shani (November 22, 2011). "Why Is Anacostia: The Web Series So Brilliant? It's Only Sort of a Race Thing". Washington City Paper. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
- Christian, Aymar Jean (July 31, 2014). "East Los High and 32 Other Web Dramas Upstaging TV With Their Diversity". IndieWire. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
- Giddens, Jamey (April 20, 2015). "Anacostia's Anthony Anderson on Daytime Emmy Nods, Faith and His Message For Ron Carlivati". Daytime Confidential. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
- "Crossroads Today ANACOSTIA's Anthony Anderson Speaks to the Power of Daytime Drama to Tackle Sensitive Issues in New Interview". February 23, 2017. Archived from the original on March 13, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
- "Kinja ANACOSTIA's Anthony Anderson tackles male/male rape (and gentrification!) in season five of the soap opera, and feels the responsibilities of African American storytellers". February 22, 2017. Archived from the original on March 13, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
- Staff Writer (March 9, 2017). "DCist Ten D.C.-Based Web Series You Should Watch". DCist. Archived from the original on March 11, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2017.