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Four people pose together on a red carpet, with one holding a glass award in front of an Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards backdrop.
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The DARCYS Make a Star-Studded Debut

A night celebrating the performers and storytellers advancing disability representation across film, television and entertainment.

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The stars turned out, high fashion took center stage and cameras flashed on the red carpet as the inaugural Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards (the DARCYS) made their debut at the historic Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif.

Among the stars were Marlee Matlin, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Lisa Whelchel, John Ortiz, Marissa Bode, Cesily Collette Taylor and more.

Formerly known as the Media Access Awards, the event was established in 1979 by iconic writer-producer Norman Lear and has been reimagined as the DARCYS.

Co-produced by Easterseals Southern California and Film Independent, the DARCYS recognize outstanding achievement in authentic disability representation across film, television and media, honoring the filmmakers, performers, creators and storytellers helping to reshape narratives and advance disability inclusion across entertainment and pop culture.

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Celebrating the Night’s Talent and Triumphs

Stand-up comedian Tina Friml, who hosted the evening, introduced herself as “your emotional support host” and kept the energy high, sparkling on stage and mingling with guests throughout the evening.

The Pitt, Horsegirls and All Her Fault were among the winners. The Pitt took home awards for Best Scripted Series and Best Achievement in Casting Ensemble, while Horsegirls won Best Feature. Daniel Monks received Best Performance in a Scripted Series for All Her Fault.

An individual wearing a black button up and pinstripe pants in a power wheelchair and holding a glass award.
Actor, disability influencer and author Vincent Rutley received the Christopher Reeve Emerging Talent Award. Earlier this year, he also won Best Actor for his short film Neighborhood Watch in the 2026 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge.
A group of six individuals posing backstage at the DARCYs awards.
Cast members backstage at the DARCYS from HBO’s The Pitt, which took home two awards for Best Scripted Series and Best Achievement in Casting Ensemble. L-R: Taylor Dearden, Tal Anderson, Diana Elizabeth Jordan, Cathy Sandrich Gelfond (Casting Director), Victoria Mack and Christopher Thornton
A person in a dark blue suit holds a glass award while standing with a forearm crutch in front of an Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards backdrop.
Daniel Monks, DARCY winner for Best Performance in a Scripted Series, All Her Fault, on the red carpet.
  1. Actor, disability influencer and author Vincent Rutley received the Christopher Reeve Emerging Talent Award. Earlier this year, he also won Best Actor for his short film Neighborhood Watch in the 2026 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge.
  2. Cast members backstage at the DARCYS from HBO’s The Pitt, which took home two awards for Best Scripted Series and Best Achievement in Casting Ensemble. L-R: Taylor Dearden, Tal Anderson, Diana Elizabeth Jordan, Cathy Sandrich Gelfond (Casting Director), Victoria Mack and Christopher Thornton
  3. Daniel Monks, DARCY winner for Best Performance in a Scripted Series, All Her Fault, on the red carpet.

Actor, disability influencer and author Vincent Rutley received the Christopher Reeve Emerging Talent Award. Earlier this year, he also won Best Actor for his short film Neighborhood Watch in the 2026 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge.

Award-winning pop, dance and electronic music artist and disability advocate Lachi kept the party going with a performance of her hit song “Fidget,” an energetic, feel-good anthem celebrating neurodiversity.

A Standing Ovation for Geri Jewell

Two people pose together on a red carpet, holding a glass award in front of an Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards backdrop.
Ground-breaking comedian and actress Geri Jewell received the inaugural Legacy Award, presented by her The Facts of Life co-star and lifelong friend Lisa Whelchel.

The crowd erupted in applause when comedian, actress and disability advocate Geri Jewell took the stage to receive the inaugural Legacy Award, presented by her The Facts of Life co-star and lifelong friend Lisa Whelchel.

“She took the good, the bad,” Whelchel said, referencing the show's theme song, “that the world handed her and opened a door that the rest of us could follow her through.”

Jewell made television history in 1980 as one of the first actors with a disability to land a recurring role on a prime-time series. Reflecting on her career and the importance of self-belief, she offered the audience some memorable advice.

“Never let what anyone else believes about you worry you. What anyone else thinks about you won’t kill you,” she laughed. “What will kill you is what you think about you.”

Where You Can Watch the DARCYS

The DARCYS will premiere on PBS SoCal Plus on Tues., Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m., and will repeat on PBS SoCal Friday, Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. The program will also be available on the free PBS app and will be distributed to public television stations across the country beginning Dec. 1 (check local listings).

And the Winner is …

Best Feature 

Horsegirls

  • Director/Writer: Lauren Meyering
  • Writer/Producer: Mackenzie Breeden
  • Producers: Alix Madigan-Yorkin, Michael Sherman
  • Featured Talent: Lillian Carrier, Matthew Schwab

Best Performance in a Feature

  • Anna Sargent — Take Me Home

Best Documentary

The Haunting of Pennhurst

  • Directors/Producers: Mike Attie, Katarina Poljak, Nathan R. Stenberg
  • Producer: Daniel J. Chalfen

Best Scripted Series

The Pitt

  • Creator/Executive Producer: R. Scott Gemmill
  • Executive Producers: Simran Baidwan, Michael Hissrich, Erin Jontow, Joe Sachs, John Wells, Noah Wyle
  • Featured Talent: Tal Anderson, Jessica “Limer” Flores, Victoria Mack, Christopher Thornton

Best Performance in a Scripted Series

  • Daniel Monks — All Her Fault

Best Unscripted Series

Renegades

  • Creator: Day Al-Mohamed
  • Series Producer: Amanda Upson
  • Executive Producers: Michael Kantor, Carrie Lozano, Charlotte Mangin

Best Achievement in Casting Ensemble

The Pitt

  • Creator/Executive Producer: R. Scott Gemmill
  • Casting Directors: Erica Berger, Cathy Sandrich Gelfond
  • Featured Ensemble Cast: Tal Anderson, Jessica “Limer” Flores, Diana Elizabeth Jordan, Victoria Mack, Christopher Thornton

Best Social Creator

  • Cassidy Huff, @CassHuff
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Two people pose together in formal attire in front of an Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards, The DARCYs, and Film Independent backdrop.
Easterseals Southern California, CEO, Mark Whitley (left) and Chief Advancement Officer, Nancy Weintraub.
A person wearing a silver sequined outfit poses with hands on hips in front of an Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards and The DARCYs backdrop.
Stand-up comedian Tina Friml hosted the evening.
A person wearing a pinstripe suit and colorful illustrated tie poses in a manual wheelchair in front of a backdrop.
Marissa Bode (Wicked) on the red carpet.
A person wearing a navy suit holds a glass award while posing in front of an Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards and The DARCYs backdrop.
Anna Sargent, DARCY winner for Best Performance in a Feature, Take Me Home, on the red carpet.
Eleven people, including several wheelchair users, pose together in formal attire on the red carpet at the Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards.
The DARCYS Disability Advisory Committee on the red carpet.
A person seated in a manual wheelchair holds a glass award while posing on the red carpet at the Easterseals Disability Arts & Culture Awards.
DARCY winner for Best Social Creator Cassidy Huff on the red carpet. @CassidyHuff.
  1. Easterseals Southern California, CEO, Mark Whitley (left) and Chief Advancement Officer, Nancy Weintraub.
  2. Stand-up comedian Tina Friml hosted the evening.
  3. Marissa Bode (Wicked) on the red carpet.
  4. Anna Sargent, DARCY winner for Best Performance in a Feature, Take Me Home, on the red carpet.
  5. The DARCYS Disability Advisory Committee on the red carpet.
  6. DARCY winner for Best Social Creator Cassidy Huff on the red carpet. @CassidyHuff.

Photo credits: Getty Images/Rodin Eckenroth, Getty Images/Frazer Harrison, and Easterseals Southern California/Sarah Golonka.

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