Erika Alexander Signs On to Support Comedy Emmy for ‘Reggie Dinkins’
Erika Alexander’s Emmy chances increase with ‘The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins’.
Variety has learned that veteran comedian Tracy Morgan, who plays the title character – a former football star trying to get his life back on track – will be the sole entry in the main acting categories. Alexander, who plays Monica, Reggie’s smart, no-nonsense ex-wife and agent, will be nominated for supporting the comedy actress race, a move that significantly boosts her chances for her long-awaited recognition by the Television Academy. Her co-star Precious Way joins her in the same category, while Daniel Radcliffe, Jalyn Hall and Bobby Moynihan are up for supporting roles. Additional category entries will be announced at a later date.
NBC’s new mockumentary has made some serious Emmys buzz so far. The series debuted on NBC in January as a midseason entry, and its 10-episode first season concludes on April 13, building a huge audience and positioning itself as a dark horse to be recognized for outstanding comedy series. Think of it as NBC’s answer to “Abbott Elementary,” a comedy with heart, chaos and a cast that makes you laugh and root for them at the same time.
This is a long-awaited moment for Alexander. She first became a household name playing Maxine Shaw on the beloved sitcom “Living Single,” a role (and show) that shaped a generation of black television comedies. Despite the show’s popularity, she never received Emmy recognition. She has since quietly built an impressive career in the comedy and drama genres. Her recent work includes the Oscar-winning “American Fiction” (2023), which earned a Best Picture nomination, and Apple TV’s “Invasion,” where she is also on the ballot for the role of drama actress.
In “The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins,” Alexander combines her trademark sharp humor with a painful depth, holding her own alongside a large ensemble of characters, especially the unpredictable Reggie. Her work has the perfect balance of comedy and heart, the kind that often earns Emmy attention (think Julie Bowen for “Modern Family”).
Morgan, meanwhile, is no stranger to the Emmys himself, with two nominations to his name: supporting comedy actor for “30 Rock” in 2009, and guest comedy actor for hosting “Saturday Night Live” in 2016. The rest of the cast is worthy and could be viable contenders in their own right if the show continues to gain popularity.
Created by Robert Carlock and Sam Means, best known for “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins” could be one of NBC’s standout comedies this year, with Erika Alexander finally getting her moment in the spotlight, and perhaps the show at the top of the lineup as well.
