‘The Pitt’ Leads the First DARCYS Disability Awards

The first Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards put The Pitt at the center of a ceremony dedicated to authentic disability representation across entertainment and media. The HBO Max drama won Best Scripted Series and Best Achievement in Casting Ensemble at the inaugural event, known as the DARCYS.

The awards build on a recognition program that began in 1979 under the Media Access Awards name. This new edition was co-produced by Easterseals Southern California and Film Independent, with comedian and disability advocate Tina Friml hosting at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica.

Film, television and creators share the spotlight

Horsegirls, directed and co-written by Lauren Meyering, received Best Feature, while The Haunting of Pennhurst won Best Documentary. Renegades took Best Unscripted Series, and Daniel Monks was recognized for his performance in the scripted series All Her Fault.

The ceremony also honored comedian and actor Geri Jewell with its Legacy Award. Vincent Rutley received the Christopher Reeve Emerging Talent Award, which includes a $5,000 grant supporting an emerging performer living with paralysis. Musician and disability culture advocate Lachi performed during the program.

Representation shaped the selection process

The DARCYS were designed to recognize work both on screen and behind the scenes. Organizers said the committees that determined nominees and winners included filmmakers, critics, guild and nonprofit representatives, and past honorees, with people with disabilities making up a majority of committee members.

That structure matters because the event is not simply rewarding stories that include disabled characters. It is also directing attention toward casting, creative leadership and the people whose lived experience informs the work. The Pitt’s two awards capture both sides of that approach: the series was recognized as a production and separately for an ensemble that includes disabled performers.

The ceremony will reach a wider audience when it premieres on PBS SoCal Plus on November 17 at 7:30 p.m., followed by another broadcast on November 20 at 8 p.m. The program is also scheduled to become available through the PBS app.