The votes are in, and the internet is (mostly) unanimous: Tatiana Maslany, the star several times over of BBC America's excellent sci-fi thriller Orphan Black, was not given an Emmy nomination for the second year in a row. And that is total bullshit.
But honestly, is it?
The Maslany snub outrage has already been spilled on Twitter and blogs all over the place: Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, New York magazine, Flavorwire, and more had their annoyed reaction pieces up within hours of today's announcement of the Emmy nominations. And there are many, many more. It seems that everyone who is not the Television Academy agrees Maslany should be recognized for her breathtaking portrayal of not one but five or more characters at once. Given it happened last year too, the pass-over begs the question of whether these voters have ever even seen an episode of Orphan Black.
Whatever that answer may be, it's beside the point. The reaction to the snub may prove a bigger boost for Maslany than any statuette for her mantle. As Vanity Fair pointed out when the Canadian actress wasn't nominated last year, the backlash for the oversight was more exciting and, frankly, better publicity for the show than any cursory industry accolade might have been, or could be in the future. This second round of outrage is likely to put even more eyes on her.
That attention won't be wasted. Maslany is outstanding in every episode of Orphan Black, so outstanding that it's almost impossible to remember that each of her characters, beloved and distinct down to the very way she smiles, is played by the same actress. She's giving multiple stunning (and still award-winning!) performances simultaneously, all basically by talking to herself. And now, even people who don't watch Orphan Black know it. It's even a good thing the Emmys have been on a viewership uptick lately: it makes her absence all the more conspicuous. And it's hard to believe that after this past season—which not only doubled the show's ratings from its first season but also featured its star playing a trans clone—Maslany will ever have trouble landing prestige roles again. And that's what getting noticed on awards shows is all about, right?
That doesn't mean her not getting an Emmy nod isn't an oversight—Maslany does work that deserves acknowledgement. But is there really value in one recognition from a committee that might not have a broad enough television palate to actually be considered a TV authority in 2014? Eh, maybe? What matters more is that the show is doing well (it just got picked up for a third season) and the legion of fans known as the Clone Club is growing. That's at least what we'll be reminding ourselves every night until Aug. 26, when the Emmys have passed once again.
