Angela Bassett Wins First Emmy After 9 Nominations: ‘Feels Amazing to Finally Hold This’

Angela Bassett has won her first Emmy Award, earning the Outstanding Narrator prize for her work on the National Geographic docuseries Queens. The series focuses on female animals in the wild, and Bassett expressed her deep gratitude for the honor, which was announced on Saturday.

“We don’t work just for awards, but we receive them because of all the hard work we put in,” Bassett told Variety at the event. “Even though this award is for narration, I didn’t do it alone.

There was a whole team that believed in me, fought for me, and worked with me to tell this amazing story about females in the animal kingdom. It was also led by an all-women production team, which was the first time that’s happened in wildlife documentaries, and that was really inspiring.”

The award came while Bassett was taking a break from her role on Fox’s 9-1-1. She was excited to do something different. “After playing a cop and chasing bad guys, I was tired. The idea of working with an all-women crew in the wilderness, focusing on matriarchs and conservation, really touched my heart,” she said.

At 66, Bassett was thankful for the recognition. “This is a big deal, and it doesn’t always happen,” she said. “I’m just a girl who wanted to act. My mentors were ahead of me, and I looked up to them for inspiration.

I put all my energy and love into making this happen in my life. Every day, I try to remember that first love for acting, and when I’m recognized like this, I truly appreciate it.”

Having received nine previous Emmy nominations, Bassett was overwhelmed to finally win. “Oh my God. Wow,” she said while accepting the award. “My first Emmy!”

Keke Palmer and Angela Bassett with their Emmys! pic.twitter.com/tVGgSPReFa

— keke palmer updates (fan account) (@kekeupdate) September 8, 2024

She thanked National Geographic, Wildstar Films, and the all-women directors for bringing the incredible stories of the animal kingdom to life. “I couldn’t be more thrilled and grateful,” she said. “Thank you to each and every one of you.”

Bassett later posted on Instagram, expressing how much the Emmy meant to her. “My very first #Emmy. It feels really good to hold this in my hands,” she wrote. “Thank you to the @televisionacad for recognizing me and the powerful story told in the #Queens docuseries. I spend so much of my life telling stories on camera, but being able to step back and let these majestic, powerful animals take the spotlight was an honor.”

With this win, Bassett has added another impressive achievement to her long career, showing her passion for storytelling, both on screen and through her voice.