Anacostia (web series)

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 main title
Created byAnthony Anderson
Written byAnthony Anderson
Directed byAnthony Anderson
Starring
  • Anthony Anderson
  • Marion Akpan
  • Christopher Bair
  • Martha Byrne
  • Tamieka Chavis
  • Pasha Diallo
  • Kena Hodges
  • Elizabeth Hubbard
  • Walter Maxfield Jones
  • William Lash
  • Tandrea Parrott
  • Melan Perez
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons6
No. of episodes60
Production
Executive producers
Production company
  • Southeast Boy Productions


Original release
Network
ReleaseOctober 15, 2009 (2009-10-15) –
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

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  • 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

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Series Summary
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

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Season 1
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
Season 2
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
Season 3
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
Season 4
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
Season 5
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
Season 6
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

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Anacostia 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

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Anacostia 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]

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Littleton, Cynthia (March 31, 2015). "General Hospital, Ellen DeGeneres, CBS Lead Daytime Emmy Nominations". Variety. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Rodriguez, Briana (March 31, 2015). "General Hospital Leads 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations". Backstage. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Exclusive! Elizabeth Hubbard Joins Anacostia". Soap Opera Digest. September 17, 2015. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ a b "CBS, PBS and The Bold and the Beautiful Lead Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Winners". Variety. April 25, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ a b "Young & Restless Leads Daytime Emmy Noms But Ceremony Won't Be on TV". Variety. March 24, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "6th Annual Indie Series Awards: Complete List of Winners". Indie Series Awards. April 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  13. ^ a b c d "Nominations Announced For 7th Annual ISAs". Indie Series Awards. February 3, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  14. ^ a b c d e "Nominations Announced For 8th Annual Indie Series Awards". Indie Series Awards. February 1, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  15. ^ "8th Annual Indie Series Awards Winners". Indie Series Awards. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
  16. ^ Mulcahy, Jr., Kevin (December 22, 2010). "We Love Soaps TV's 15 Most Fascinating People of 2010". We Love Soaps. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  17. ^ 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.
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