By Vivian DiSalvo (Class of 2026)
Trophies weren’t the only things sparkling during this year’s award season. Tennessee Orange was also shining bright on the red carpets with two VFLs representing the University of Tennessee, Knoxville: Tramell Tillman (’14) and Leanne Morgan (’92).
Tillman won at the Critics Choice Awards earlier this month for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his work on the show Severance, a gripping drama that follows employees at Lumon Industries. In the show, Tillman plays manager Seth Milchick, who secures the “severed” floor of the office, where employees’ memories of their work and personal lives are separated.
He was also nominated for a Golden Globe this award season and previously won an Emmy for the performance in 2025.
Tillman earned his master’s in acting at UT and was one of the first African American male graduates of UT’s MFA acting program, which was ranked among the top graduate programs in the world by The Hollywood Reporter for five consecutive years. After graduating, Tillman has worked in a variety of roles both in films, shows, and Broadway productions.
Leanne Morgan (’92) was nominated at the Critics Choice Awards for Best Comedy Special for her Netflix special Unspeakable Things, a stand-up performance full of Morgan’s signature southern charm and wit. Her previous special, I’m Every Woman, was ranked among Netflix’s top 10 comedy specials.
Last year, she released her first-ever sitcom, Leanne. Set in Knoxville, the series reflects the impact UT and East Tennessee have had on her career.
