Will ‘HTGAWM’ Viola Davis Contend For An Oscar For ‘Fences’? Social Media Reactions Favor A Best Supporting Actress Win

Viola Davis and her husband Julius Tennon — Viola Davis’ performance in “Fences” alongside Denzel Washington is garnering much praise. Pictured: The “How To Get Away With Murder” actress and husband Julius Tennon attend the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Sept. 18. Reuters/Lucy Nicholson

“How To Get Away With Murder” actress Viola Davis is no stranger to award functions and the battle to bring home a golden statute. She has won an Emmy award for her performance as tough-as-nails lawyer and professor Annalise Keating in the ABC series in 2015. Now it looks like Davis is on the way to winning her first Oscar.

The 51-year-old actress has been nominated for Oscars before. In 2008, she was nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in “Doubt.” Later, in 2011, she was again nominated in the same category for her expert portrayal of Aibeleen Clark in the 1960s set drama “The Help.”

It looks like Davis will again be in contention for the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in the movie “Fences” opposite Denzel Washington. Early reactions on social media of the film’s screening have been very positive with many applauding Davis and Washington’s performances as husband and wife. Although reviews of the film are under embargo, the reactions indicate that “Fences” will be a movie to watch out for the Oscars.

Take a look at the reactions below:

Denzel Washington gives his biggest, most important and best performance to date as Troy. Viola Davis is the heart of the film as Rose.
— OscarWatch (@oscarwatch) November 6, 2016

Denzel Washington knocks Fences out of the park as director and actor; Viola Davis and Mykelti Williamson will also be Oscar Contenders.
— Anne Thompson (@akstanwyck) November 6, 2016

“Fences,” a film based on August Wilson’s play of the same name, tells the story of an old garbage man named Troy (Washington) and his wife Rose (Davis). Troy is full of regret and often lives in the past, going back to the time when he was an African-American baseball player struggling to provide food for his family during the 1950s in Pennsylvania. It was a time when racial segregation was still present in the United States.

Davis and Washington have actually starred in a stage adaption of the story in 2010 and both went home with Tony awards for their performance. Hence, it’s perfectly plausible that the actress will finally win the Best Supporting Actress category at the Academy Awards next year.

“How To Get Away With Murder” airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. EDT. “Fences” hits theatres on Christmas Day in 2016.