Viola Davis on Annalise Keating: The Groundbreaking Role That Transformed Her Career and Redefined Womanhood

Viola Davis Reflects on Annalise Keating’s Profound Impact, from On-Screen Dominance to Personal Empowerment

As the curtains close on How To Get Away With Murder, the indelible mark left by Annalise Keating on television history and popular culture is undeniable. Since her dramatic introduction in 2014, the formidable criminal defense attorney and law professor didn’t just ensnare the lives of the “Keating Five”; she fundamentally reshaped the trajectory of the acclaimed actress who brought her to life: the incomparable Viola Davis. In an exclusive conversation with HollywoodLife at the HTGAWM series wrap party, Viola Davis openly shared the profound significance of embodying Annalise Keating for six compelling seasons.

Annalise Keating emerged as a beacon of complex, unvarnished womanhood on screen, shattering preconceived notions of leading ladies in prime-time television. Her character, a mosaic of strength, vulnerability, brilliance, and moral ambiguity, offered audiences a rare glimpse into a multifaceted Black woman navigating a world of power, corruption, and intense personal turmoil. This portrayal was not merely a performance; it was a revolution, both for the viewers and, critically, for Davis herself. The role allowed Davis to delve into the depths of a character that defied typical Hollywood archetypes, making Annalise a figure who will resonate for generations.

“It’s meant everything to me,” Viola Davis revealed to HollywoodLife, her voice resonating with sincerity. “She gave me permission to see all of my womanhood and to not apologize for it, to not apologize for being a certain size, a certain hue, for having a deep voice, dark skin, not being a so-called classic beauty, whatever that means. She made me step into my truth and my authenticity without apology because oftentimes leading ladies are not played by actresses who look like me. That’s what she gave me permission to do and that’s what it’s meant to me, and then when I stepped into it, it changed the course of my career. All the projects I’ve done, this has been the job that’s changed the way people see me.” This powerful statement underscores the transformative nature of Annalise for Davis, offering not just a role but a vehicle for self-acceptance and a challenge to conventional beauty standards in an industry often resistant to change.

Challenging Hollywood Norms: Annalise Keating’s Impact on Representation

Viola Davis’s portrayal of Annalise Keating was a watershed moment for representation in Hollywood. Her candid reflection on societal beauty standards and their impact on casting highlights a persistent issue within the entertainment industry. For Davis, Annalise was a character who allowed her to embrace her full identity – her physicality, her skin tone, her voice – without compromise. This was a radical act in an environment where actresses of color, particularly darker-skinned Black women, are often marginalized or relegated to secondary roles that do not reflect their true complexity and beauty. Annalise was fiercely intelligent, deeply flawed, sexually liberated, and profoundly human, providing a counter-narrative to the often one-dimensional portrayals of Black women on screen.

The cultural impact of Annalise Keating extends far beyond individual viewers. Her character sparked vital conversations about identity, privilege, and the intricate layers of womanhood. Davis, through her nuanced performance, ensured that Annalise was not just a legal eagle but a woman grappling with trauma, addiction, love, and loss. This raw authenticity, combined with Davis’s powerful acting prowess, created a character that viewers could connect with on a deeply emotional level, regardless of their own background. Annalise became a symbol of resilience, proving that leading ladies don’t have to fit into a narrow, predefined mold to captivate audiences and drive a narrative.

A Career Redefined: Accolades and Enduring Legacy

The impact of Annalise Keating on Viola Davis’s career is indelibly marked by numerous accolades. In 2015, Davis made history by winning her first Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Annalise. This victory was monumental, as she became the first Black woman to ever win in that category, delivering an emotional and inspiring acceptance speech that resonated globally: “The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity.” Her words amplified the message that Annalise Keating herself embodied – a call for broader inclusion and recognition of talent irrespective of race or conventional standards. This Emmy was a testament not only to her extraordinary performance but also to the cultural significance of the character she portrayed.

Throughout the show’s highly successful run, Viola Davis continued to receive critical acclaim, earning four more Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe nominations for her work on How To Get Away With Murder. Her consistent excellence in this demanding role solidified her status as one of the most respected and powerful actresses of her generation. Even more impressively, during a filming hiatus for HTGAWM, Davis expanded her legendary film career, winning the 2017 Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her breathtaking performance in Denzel Washington’s adaptation of August Wilson’s Fences. This simultaneous success across both television and film highlighted her versatility and extraordinary talent, proving that Annalise Keating had indeed elevated her profile and the perception of her immense capabilities within the industry.

The journey with Annalise not only garnered critical acclaim but also broadened Davis’s artistic horizons, opening doors to diverse projects and allowing her to take on roles that further challenged her and showcased her range. The trust she built with audiences and industry insiders through her portrayal of Annalise empowered her to pursue more ambitious and meaningful work, aligning with her long-standing commitment to authentic storytelling. This role became a cornerstone, a testament to her acting prowess, and a pivotal moment in her illustrious career, demonstrating how a single character can profoundly influence an actor’s entire professional trajectory.

Embracing New Beginnings: Saying Goodbye to a Pivotal Role

Despite the deep personal and professional connection to Annalise Keating, Viola Davis approaches the conclusion of this chapter with a professional and forward-looking perspective. “I’m really good at saying goodbye to characters, believe it or not,” Viola continued, reflecting on the nature of her craft. “I’ve never had a problem with it. Maybe it’s because I understand that I’m not what I do. I’m happy to get back to my family and my daughter and to see what life has to offer me, which is so many beautiful, wonderful projects that our production company is working on. Because at the end of the day I’m an actor and, as great of an experience as this has been, it’s also a job. I’m ready to move on.” Her statement encapsulates the healthy detachment required of an actor, understanding that while a role can be transformative, it is still a component of a larger career and life. This perspective allows her to appreciate the experience while also eagerly anticipating future creative endeavors and prioritizing her personal life.

This readiness to move on is not a dismissal of Annalise’s importance but rather an affirmation of Davis’s growth and evolving vision for her career. As she highlighted, the professional side of acting allows for the development of myriad characters, each offering unique challenges and rewards. Her focus shifts towards her family and the exciting projects her production company, JuVee Productions, is developing. JuVee Productions, co-founded with her husband Julius Tennon, is committed to creating diverse, impactful, and inclusive content, an ambition that undoubtedly draws strength from the groundbreaking work she accomplished with Annalise. This next phase of her career promises to further expand her influence, not just as an actress but as a producer and storyteller, shaping the narratives that reach audiences.

The End of an Era: How To Get Away With Murder‘s Lasting Impact

The final episodes of How To Get Away With Murder, which aired Thursdays at 10 p.m. on ABC, marked the end of a six-season run that consistently delivered shocking twists, compelling character development, and thought-provoking social commentary. The show, a flagship of Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland production company, contributed significantly to the landscape of modern television, pushing boundaries in storytelling and character depiction. Its legacy will undoubtedly include its bold exploration of complex ethical dilemmas, its unapologetic depiction of challenging relationships, and, most importantly, its central performance by Viola Davis, which elevated the series into a cultural phenomenon.

Annalise Keating will be remembered as one of television’s most intricate and unforgettable characters, a testament to the power of nuanced writing and unparalleled acting. Her journey from a seemingly invincible law professor to a woman confronting her deepest fears and past traumas resonated with millions, proving that anti-heroines can be just as compelling, if not more so, than traditional protagonists. Viola Davis’s commitment to portraying Annalise in all her messy glory cemented the character’s place in the pantheon of iconic TV figures, ensuring that the legacy of How To Get Away With Murder will endure long after its final scene fades.