WASHINGTON -- A Maryland teenager who stunned in his television debut as one of the members of the "Central Park Five" in a new Netflix series is now up for an Emmy.
Asante Blackk, 17, of Charles County portrays Kevin Richardson in "When They See Us". Richardson was one of five teenagers who was wrongfully convicted of raping a jogger in New York City's Central Park in 1989.
Blackk is nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced Tuesday.
The recent North Point High School graduate auditioned for the role after voicing his interest in it to his agent. He said he was drawn to the injustice that was done to Richardson and the other four teenagers.
"Seeing how this lie was built against these boys, from day one, very much intrigued me and it kind of shocked me," he told WUSA earlier this year.
Blackk said "When They See Us" was his first time ever performing in a professional role. He said he had performed in high school and community plays before his work on the Netflix production.