Anna Sawai Makes History with Primetime Emmy Win for Shōgun
- Update Time : 06:38:02 pm, Monday, 16 September 2024
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Anna Sawai Makes History with Primetime Emmy Win for Shōgun
Japanese actress Anna Sawai has made history by becoming the first actress of Asian descent to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. This groundbreaking achievement occurred at the 76th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Peacock Theater in Downtown Los Angeles. Sawai received the prestigious award for her captivating performance in the FX on Hulu series Shōgun.
Sawai, aged 32, was a vision of elegance in a stunning red gown with her raven-black hair neatly styled. As she made her way to the stage to accept her award, tears of joy streamed down her face. She candidly admitted, “I was crying before my name was announced. I’m a mess today,” to a supportive and cheering audience.
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The actress, originally from Wellington, New Zealand, and raised in Japan, stars as Toda Mariko in Shōgun. Her role depicts a highly intelligent and loyal woman serving as a translator between Toranaga and Blackthorne, and has been widely acclaimed for its depth and complexity.
During her acceptance speech, Sawai expressed heartfelt gratitude to the creators of Shōgun, saying, “Thank you Justin [Marks] and Rachael [Kondo] for believing in me and giving me this role of a lifetime. Thank you to every single member of the crew and cast led by Hiro [Sanada]. He has really opened doors, and continues to open doors, for people like me. Thank you so much.” She concluded her speech with a touching tribute to her mother, “Mom, I love you. You are the reason why I’m here. You showed me stoicism, and that’s how I was able to portray Mariko. This is to all the women who expect nothing and continue to be an example for everyone. Thank you so much.”
Shōgun, which is based on James Clavell’s novel of the same name, was created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks. The series, consisting of 10 episodes, aired on FX on Hulu from February 27 to April 23. Its success has not only marked Sawai’s historic win but also established the show as the first Japanese-language series to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series. The series won a total of 18 awards out of 25 nominations, making it a historic achievement in Emmy history.
The show’s success has also led to the development of its second and third seasons, reflecting its widespread acclaim for directing, writing, visuals, and performances.
Before her historic Emmy win, Sawai was well-known in Japan as a lead vocalist for the girl group Faky from 2013 to 2018. She made her return to acting with notable roles in the Japanese mystery series Colors and the British crime thriller Giri/Haji. Her international breakthrough came with roles in F9 (2021) and the Apple TV+ drama series Pachinko (2022-present), among others.
The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards were marked by several notable wins and surprises. Shōgun led with a record-breaking 18 awards, including Outstanding Lead Actress for Sawai and Outstanding Lead Actor for Hiroyuki Sanada. Other major winners included Hacks for Best Comedy and The Bear for its intense portrayal in the comedy genre. The awards also saw Baby Reindeer sweep the Limited Series categories.
The Emmys provided a platform for numerous deserving shows and performances, although some like The Bear faced unexpected losses. The ceremony, which was the second of the year due to scheduling changes, highlighted the incredible achievements of television creators and performers.
