Japanese actress Anna Sawai now has the distinction of being the first actress of Asian descent to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series.
The historic moment took place during the 76th annual ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, when Sawai scored the big win in the category for her performance on the FX on Hulu series Shōgun.
Looking stunning in a red gown and her long raven locks pulled back tight off her face, the actress was wiping away the happy tears as she made her way to the stage to accept her trophy.
'I was crying before my name was announced,' Sawai, 32, confessed when she got to the podium. 'I'm a mess today.'
The Wellington, New Zealand native, who also grew up in Japan, plays Toda Mariko in the historical drama, who's an intelligent highborn woman with strong loyalty to Toranaga while serving as a translator between Toranaga and Blackthorne.
Anna Sawai, 32, made history at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards when she won Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series for Shōgun, which is a first for an actress of Asian descent
'Thank you Justin [Marks] and Rachael [Kondo] for believing in me and giving me this role of a lifetime,' Sawai, 32, went on to say while sharing her gratitude.
Thank you to every single one of the crew and cast led by Hiro [Sanada],' the actress continued. 'He has really opened doors, and continues to open doors, for people like me. Thank you so much.'
She would ended her acceptance speech by giving a nod of respect to her mother.
'Lastly, thank you to my team and thank you to my family. 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 [Toda] Mariko,' Sawai shared as more tears fell.
She concluded, '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 the novel of the same name by James Clavell, was created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, consisting of 10 episodes that ran on FX on Hulu from February 27 through April 23.
Due to its early success and widespread acclaim for the directing, writing, visuals, production values, source material, and performances of its cast, a second and third season are now in development.
Along with Sawai making history, the show also became the first Japanese-language series to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, en route to ultimately winning 18 of its 25 Emmy nominations.
'I was crying before my name was announced,' Sawai confessed when she got to the podium for her acceptance speech. 'I'm a mess today'
!['Thank you Justin [Marks] and Rachael [Kondo] for believing in me and giving me this role of a lifetime,' the Japanese actress went on to say while sharing her gratitude](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/09/16/06/89718773-13854377-image-a-10_1726465393026.jpg)
'Thank you Justin [Marks] and Rachael [Kondo] for believing in me and giving me this role of a lifetime,' the Japanese actress went on to say while sharing her gratitude
The tears started to flow again when she singled out 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,' she conclued her acceptance speech
Before making history, Sawai showed off her lovely red two-tier gown that accensuate her petite curves in all the right ways
Sawai rose to fame in Japan as one of the lead vocalists of the girl group Faky from 2013 to 2018.
She would make a return to acting with supporting roles in the Japanese mystery series Colors (2018) and the British crime thriller series Giri/Haji (2019).
Her international breakthrough came with the roles of Elle in F9 (2021), the ninth installment in the Fast & Furious film franchise.
She gained further recognition for her role in the Apple TV+ drama series Pachinko (2022-present), the MonsterVerse series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (2023-present), and for her portrayal of Mariko in the FX historical drama series Shōgun (2024).
76th Primetime Emmy Awards WINNERS: AT A GLANCE
DRAMA
Outstanding Drama Series: Shogun
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Anna Sawai, Shogun
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Hiroyuki Sanada, Shogun
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series: Elizabeth Debicki, The Crown
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series: Billy Crudup, The Morning Show
TALK, VARIETY, AND REALITY
Scripted Variety Series: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Talk Series: The Daily Show
Outstanding Reality Competition Program: The Traitors
Shogun won a record breaking 18 Primetime Emmy Awards including Outstanding Lead Actress and Actor nods for Anna Sawai and Hiroyuki Sanada
COMEDY
Outstanding Comedy Series: Hacks
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Jean Smart, Hacks
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series: Jeremy Allen White, The Bear
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series: Liza Colón-Zayas, The Bear
Outstanding Supporting Actor An A Comedy Series: Ebon Moss-Bachrach, The Bear
LIMITED
Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series: Baby Reindeer
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series: Jessica Gunning, Baby Reindeer
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series: Richard Gadd, Baby Reindeer
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series: Jodie Foster, True Detective: Night Country
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series: Lamorne Morris, Fargo
