The historical epic Shogun, set in feudal Japan, made history at the 2024 Emmys, taking home a total of 18 awards—the most ever for a single season. This includes acting triumphs for stars Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai.
‘Shogun’ Stars Anna Sawai and Hiroyuki Sanada Make Emmy History
Asian representation soared at the 2024 Emmys as Shogun stars Anna Sawai and Hiroyuki Sanada both earned top honors in the drama categories.
Sawai became the first actress of Asian descent to win Best Drama Actress, while Sanada’s win for Best Lead Actor marked him as the first Japanese actor—and only the second Asian actor ever—to receive this accolade in Emmy history.
The 2024 Emmys, broadcast live from LA’s Peacock Theatre, showcased a landmark evening for Asian actors and Shogun, which dominated with 25 nominations—the highest for any series this year. Both Sawai and Sanada’s wins are being hailed as significant milestones in an industry long criticized for its lack of diversity.
Playing Lady Mariko in the FX series, Sawai delivered an emotional acceptance speech. “I was crying even before my name was called. I’m a mess today,” she joked, highlighting the evening’s emotional impact. Competing against heavyweights like Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon (The Morning Show), Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age), Maya Erskine (Mr and Mrs Smith), and Imelda Staunton (The Crown), her win signifies a watershed moment for Asian actresses in Hollywood.
Sawai expressed gratitude to the Academy and acknowledged her co-creators Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo for giving her “the role of a lifetime.” She also thanked her cast and crew, particularly Sanada, for paving the way for Asian talent in Hollywood.
Previously, Sawai made history by winning the TCA Award for Best Individual Achievement in a Drama, becoming the first performer of Asian descent to win over both male and female nominees—a testament to her groundbreaking work on Shogun.
Meanwhile, Hiroyuki Sanada won Best Lead Actor for his portrayal of Yoshii Toranaga. He accepted his award from Minari star Steven Yeun, expressing heartfelt gratitude. “Shogun was a dream project where East met West with respect. It taught me that when people work together, we can create miracles and build a better future,” Sanada remarked.
Sanada follows Lee Jung-Jae, who became the first Asian actor to win Best Lead Actor for a drama series in 2022 for Squid Game. Sanada is now the second Asian actor, and the first Japanese actor, to claim this honor.
‘Shogun’s Record-Breaking Streak
Based on James Clavell’s novel, Shogun has been praised for its captivating storytelling and groundbreaking representation of Asian culture. It swept the Creative Arts Emmys with 14 awards, bringing its total nominations to 25—a record-breaking achievement for a single season.
Supporting cast members Tadanobu Asano, who plays samurai Kashigi Yabushige, and Takehiro Hira, as Ishido Kazunari, also received nominations, while Néstor Carbonell was nominated for his guest role as Rodrigues.
Co-creators Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo have already teased plans for two more seasons, promising Shogun will continue to captivate audiences for years to come.
Sawai and Sanada’s historic wins represent more than just personal achievements—they signify a growing movement toward greater inclusivity and recognition of Asian talent in Hollywood, an industry still progressing toward diversity.
Sawai concluded her speech with a powerful message: “This is for all the women who expect nothing and continue to be examples to everyone.”
