2009 American TV series or program
Anacostia Season 1 main title
Created by Anthony Anderson Written by Anthony Anderson Directed by Anthony 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 origin United States Original language English No. of seasons6 No. of episodes60 Executive producers Production company
Southeast Boy Productions
Network Release October 15, 2009 (2009-10-15 ) – present
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
References
^ 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
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 .
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