5 Facts About Emmy-Nominated 'When They See Us' Star Asante Blackk

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The powerful and devastating Netflix mini-series When They See Us is getting all the shine this Emmy season.

The project — which covers the life of five New York teens who were falsely convicted on rape and assault charges — was nominated for a whopping 16 Emmys.

Helmed by filmmaker extraordinaire Ava DuVernay, the series earned Emmy nods for Jharrel Jerome in Lead Actor in a Limited Series/TV Movie and Niecy Nash for Lead Actress in a Limited Series. The show also earned a Best Limited Series nomination.

Although the lead actors are rightfully getting their praise, another standout role came from 17-year-old Asante Blackk who played a young Kevin Richardson. Blackk’s performance as a helpless kid being harassed and interrogated by the police earned him an Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie nomination.

With his recent recognition, Blackk has a promising career and we’ll definitely be witnessing his talents in the future.

Before Blackk hits megastar status, hit the flip for five facts you might not have known about the stellar performer.

1. Aside from a few short videos, When They See Us is Blackk’s first major T.V./movie role

Not too shabby for an Emmy nominee.

2. He’s the nephew of another Emmy nominated (and winning!) actress, Samira Wiley (Orange Is the New Black, The Handmaid’s Tale)

On Instagram, Wiley congratulated her nephew, writing, “Ain’t even had my @televisionacad Emmy for 1 whole year yet, and the boy already coming for his auntie’s crown! Haha. Congratulations to my stupidly talented nephew, @asanteblackk on his first Emmy nom for his breathtakingly beautiful portrayal of young Kevin Richardson in @netflix’s @whentheyseeus! Love you so much, ASANTE!!!!!!!!”

See the family resemblance?

3. Blackk is from the DMV

Before acting in school productions and graduating from North Point High School in Waldorf, Maryland, Blackk attended a children’s theater workshop at Howard University in D.C. The young talent even lent his skills to church productions at Union Temple Baptiste Church in Southeast D.C. Watch Blackk describe more of his upbringing with EZ Street on WHUR above.

4. Ava DuVernay saw Blackk in a school play before he started auditioning seriously for the role

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DuVernay told Entertainment Weekly, “That was his first role — I plucked him out of a school play in Baltimore, and he did extraordinary work.”

5. Blackk plans on attending Rutgers University for acting in the fall

According to NBC Washington, Blackk will take a year off from school and then head off to Rutgers’ Mason Gross School of the Arts. For more of his story, you can check out his interview with 93.9 above.