Seven Indie Series Award nominations for 'The Rich and The Ruthless'

With intent to celebrate independently produced series created for the Internet, the Annual Indie Series Awards (ISA) were born.

Today, at The Colony Theatre in Los Angeles, California, the awards ceremony will see its ninth year, complete with impressive representatives of the Jamaican diaspora.

Last year, the producer, New York Times best-selling author, American actress and honorary Jamaican Victoria Rowell, came to the island to film the first season of her independent soap opera, The Rich and the Ruthless, a 20-minute, six-episode soap opera, guest starring award-winning actor and comedian Oliver Samuels.

The Rich and the Ruthless was the first international multi-episode soap opera format to be filmed in Jamaica, and has been nominated for seven ISA awards.

Rowell, best known for her role in day-time soap opera The Young and The Restless, in which she played Drucilla Barber, will now add to her many accolades, 'acclaimed director'. The soap opera veteran is nominated for Best Directing (Comedy) for the series.

The Rich and The Ruthless is also nominated for Best Comedy (Rowell & Jamey Gidden), Best Lead Actress (Alesha Renee), Best Supporting Actor (Michael Colyar), Best Supporting Actress (Rowell), Best Guest Actress (Caryn Ward Ross) and Best Ensemble (Comedy).

Nominees were announced in 30 categories. There are 46 nominated series from countries around the globe, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, Singapore and Uruguay. Crystal trophies will be presented to the winners during a gala ceremony at The Colony Theatre in Los Angeles. The two-day celebration includes a launch party, red-carpet reception, press walk, presentation ceremony, and an official after party.

Ladies of the Lake leads all series with a total 18 nominations. Filth City leads all comedies with 12 nominations.

The first-ever category for unscripted shows was added this year. Competing for Best Non-Fiction Series are 1 Minute Meal, Haunt ME, Vintage America with Ginger, and Where I Don't Belong.

Rowell was born in the US to a Jamaican father and identifies as a part of the Jamaican diaspora.