Viola Davis Takes Over Kerry Washington's Drama Actress Slot: Do Awards Voters Still Have a Diversity Problem?

The SAG nominations kicked off the awards season on Wednesday and may also have revealed a glaring and lingering diversity problem in Hollywood.

ABC’s “How to Get Away With Murder” star Viola Davis nabbed a nomination for her brilliant work in the mystery drama, but “Scandal” star Kerry Washington didn’t.

Does that mean Washington’s “Scandal” performance wasn’t as great this past year as in 2013 when she was first nominated by the Guild? Or, does that mean there’s only room for one black female lead in the minds of voters?

See photos: SAG Awards 2015: The Nominees

The first question is, of course, the result of opinion. But, this television critic doesn’t believe that Washington’s performance has ever lapsed. At the top of the game for TV’s dramatic actresses, she should have been a shoo-in for a SAG nomination again this year.

The latter question is a pretty disturbing one and one that may not even be at the forefront of the minds of SAG awards voters, a randomly chosen selection of 2,100 Guild members, when they fill in their ballots.

Of course, Washington’s nomination history for a SAG award isn’t as deep as the one she has for the Emmys, which she received nominations for in 2013 and 2014. And the Golden Globes also saw fit to nominate her only once before, in 2014, just like the SAGs.

See photos: 22 Biggest Snubs and Surprises: SAG Awards Nominations 2015

But if it’s true that there’s only room for one black leading actress in the run for awards, then Hollywood isn’t as progressive-minded as we believe ourselves to be.

Further, the snub means that Shonda Rhimes basically executive produced a role in Davis’ Annalise Keating that would overshadow her other show’s star and stunt the momentum of getting TV’s first black leading lady in more than 40 years to the podium. That shouldn’t tarnish the producer’s efforts, but it’s certainly no way to honor them.

As I previously mentioned, this is just the start of awards season. So, we’ll have to see how this plays out in Thursday’s Golden Globes announcement and then on to the Primetime Emmys next summer.

Also read: Emmys: Kerry Washington Makes History One 'Scandal' Episode at a Time

It’s clear to me that both actresses deserved to be nominated. Davis is a wonder to behold on “How to Get Away With Murder.” At the same time, the level of performance Washington brings to “Scandal’s” Olivia Pope hasn’t lessened in the past year. So, what’s changed, other than another black actress is in the race?

It’s a question we’ll need to consider as Hollywood deepens its programming with diverse leads, but possibly holds a limited space in its collective mind for honoring them.

22 Biggest Snubs and Surprises: 2015 SAG Awards Nominations (Photos)

SNUB: Jessica Chastain failed to be recognized for her supporting role in "A Most Violent Year."
A24
SNUB: SAG voters also left off "A Most Violent Year" star Oscar Isaac from the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role list.
A24
SURPRISE: Naomi Watts earned a very unexpected nomination for her performance in "St. Vincent."
The Weinstein Company
SNUB: Critics continue to rave over David Oyelowo's turn in "Selma" as Martin Luther King Jr. His name was left off the list of SAG Award nominees however.
Paramount
SNUB: Carmen Ejogo's portrayal of Coretta Scott King in "Selma" was ignored by the Screen Actors Guild.
Paramount
SNUB: "Selma" received zero nominations across every category on Wednesday morning.
Paramount
SNUB: Nominated for an Actor last year, Kerry Washington was left off of the list this year for her role as Olivia Pope in "Scandal."
ABC
SURPRISE: Jennifer Aniston's performance in "Cake" had some saying this could be the role that would earn her some long-overdue recognition. SAG voters gave her the first major nom of what could be a busy award season.
Cinelou Films
SNUB: Steve Carell received a nomination for lead actor but "Foxcatcher" was shut out in the Best Cast category.
Sony Pictures Classics
SURPRISE: Jake Gyllenhaal's edgy performance in crime-thriller "Nightcrawler" earned him a nod on Wednesday.
Open Road Films
SNUB: Amy Adams was forgotten for her portrayal of artist Margaret Keane in Tim Burton's "Big Eyes."
The Weinstein Company
SNUB: "Unbroken" was shut out in all major categories, though the film did score a nod for Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture.
Universal Pictures
SNUB: Bradley Cooper's role in "American Sniper" failed to impress SAG voters enough to give him a nod.
Warner Bros.
SNUB: Neither of Marion Cotillard's performances in "Two Days, One Night" or "The Immigrant" were deemed worthy of a SAG Award nomination.
Cinéart
SNUB: Her role on "Masters of Sex" earned her an Emmy nomination but was ignored by SAG on Wednesday morning.
Showtime
SNUB: "Orange is the New Black" received a Comedy Ensemble nomination and co-star Uzo Aduba scored a nod for her role as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren. Taylor Schilling came up empty handed though.
Netflix
SNUB: In "Two and a Half Men's" final season, SAG failed to recognize Jon Cryer, who has only been nominated for a SAG Award once. Conversely, he's won two Emmys and been nominated seven times for playing Alan Harper on the CBS sitcom.
CBS
SNUB: She received an Emmy nomination in 2014 but Michelle Dockery failed to earn a SAG Award nomination for her role on "Downton Abbey."
PBS
SNUB: Another year without a SAG Award nod for Lena Dunham. The "Girls" star has yet to be nominated.
HBO
SNUB: Laura Dern was left off of the list of supporting actress nominees for her performance in "Wild."
Fox Searchlight Pictures
SNUB: Now in her fourth iteration of "American Horror Story," Jessica Lange was unable to secure a nomination for her role in "Freak Show."
FX
SNUB: After two straight SAG Award nominations, Jeff Daniels' name wasn't called on Wednesday morning. The HBO series, now in its final season, was snubbed in all categories.
HBO