Anna Sawai Makes History as the First Asian Performer to Win the Best Drama Actress Emmy
FX’s historical epic, “Shōgun,” can’t stop making history all its own. Following its record-breaking performance at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards — where the drama series became the most awarded single season in Emmy history — Anna Sawai has become the first actor of Asian descent to win the Emmy for Best Actress in a Drama Series. It was the “Pachinko” star’s first nomination.
Sawai was only the second actress of Asian descent to ever be nominated in the category. Her predecessor, Sandra Oh, was nominated four times between 2018-2022 for “Killing Eve.” (She lost to Claire Foy for “The Crown,” then to her co-star Jodie Comer, and finally to Zendaya for “Euphoria” — twice.)
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Although “Shogun” has been considered a frontrunner anywhere and everywhere it’s been nominated, the race for Best Drama Actress was seen as one of the more competitive categories. Each previous actor to play Queen Elizabeth II in “The Crown” won an Emmy (or, in Foy’s case, two Emmys), which made Imelda Staunton’s royal portrayal a popular choice in the series’ final season. “The Morning Show” over-performed in the acting categories, where it earned 10 of its 16 nominations. Two of those came in this category, for stars Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon — Hollywood royalty who may have canceled each other out with voters. Maya Erskine was a favorite among “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” devotees, and if “The Gilded Age” was going to win a Primetime Emmy, odds favored Carrie Coon to represent the HBO series here.
Instead, Sawai triumphed, extending “Shogun’s” winning streak and anchoring the young performer as one of Hollywood’s up-and-coming stars. Her performance as Lady Mariko earned raves from critics, and she’s already been nominated for a Gotham TV Award (Outstanding Performance in a Limited Series) and won the TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Drama (beating out Andrew Scott for “Ripley” and “Shogun” co-star Hiroyuki Sanada).
Outside “Shogun,” Sawai has starred in the Apple TV+ original, “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,” which is currently shooting its second season, and both seasons of “Pachinko,” a critical darling also available via Apple TV+.
Although “Shogun” was renewed for two more seasons, it’s unlikely Sawai will return. The series is expected to bring in a whole new cast, possibly around Sanada, who played Lord Toranaga in Season 1 and also serves as an executive producer.
The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards were held Sunday, September 15 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. The full telecast will be available to stream Monday on Hulu.
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