Anacostia (web series)

Anacostia is a soap opera web series that premiered on October 15, 2009 on YouTube. It was created by Anthony Anderson (not to be confused with the actor of the same name), who also stars in, writes, produces, and directs the series. "Anacostia" chronicles the drama among residents of the titular community in Washington, D. C. Guest star Martha Byrne later became an executive producer on the series.
The series was nominated for a 2015 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding New Approaches Drama Series, and Martha Byrne won a Daytime Emmy the same year for Outstanding Performer in a New Approaches Drama Series for her performance as Alexis Jordan. Elizabeth Hubbard was nominated in 2016 for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series for her role as Eva Montgomery, and Anthony Anderson made history becoming the first African American to be nominated in 2017 for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama Series for his role as Sean Williams-Grey. In 2017, actress Jennifer Bassey received the show's fifth nomination, in the Outstanding Guest Performer digital category. "Anacostia" is also among the most-nominated shows at the Indie Series Awards, winning several.
In 2018, "Anacostia" was picked up by Amazon Video.
Production.
"Anacostia" was created in 2009 by Anderson, who also writes, executive produces and stars in the series. Byrne serves as executive producer, with Benjamin Bryant as co-executive producer. Fritz Brekeller is the show's supervising producer, and Tommy Zamberlan is the show's Senior Producer. Lora Lee, Jamie Misiak and Alexis Robinson Smith are among the series' line producers. Marion Akpan, Christopher Bair, Pasha Diallo, India Doy-Young, Antonio Harrison Jr., Kena Hodges, William Lash and Rolfini Whidbee serve as producers.
Byrne, known for her longtime role on the defunct CBS soap opera "As the World Turns", joined the series in the role of high-powered madame Alexis Jordan in 2011. In September 2015, "Soap Opera Digest" reported that Byrne's former "As the World Turns" co-star Elizabeth Hubbard would also appear on "Anacostia" as Eva Montgomery, in scenes directed and co-written by Byrne. 
Over the series' successive seasons, Anderson has attempted to address a number of social issues through the series soap operatic lens, including realistic takes on mental illness, incest, male-male rape, and the real-life gentrification of the iconic D.C. neighborhood.
Awards and recognition.
"Anacostia" was nominated for a 2015 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding New Approaches Drama Series, and Martha Byrne won a Daytime Emmy the same year for Outstanding Performer in a New Approaches Drama Series for her performance as Alexis Jordan. Elizabeth Hubbard was nominated in 2016 for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series for her role as Eva Montgomery. In 2017, Anthony Anderson was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama Series for his role as Sean Williams-Grey. Jennifer Bassey was nominated in 2018 for Outstanding Guest Performer in a Digital Daytime Drama Series for her portrayal of Beverly Newman.
To date, the series has won ten Indie Series Awards, and has been nominated for several more. Anthony Anderson holds the record for most Acting Nominations (16) and is in 2nd place for overall Nominations (20) at the Indie Series Awards.
In December 2010, Anderson was named by "We Love Soaps" as one of the "15 Most Fascinating People of 2010".
In 2017, Gothamist Washington D.C. affiliate DCist named "Anacostia" "one of the best," in an article highlighting series set in the Washington D.C. area.