The 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards made history with FX’s drama series “Shōgun” stealing the spotlight and shattering records. The show, a retelling of James Clavell’s famous novel set in 1600 feudal Japan, grabbed an astonishing 18 Emmy wins in a single season, setting a new standard for success in the television world. This achievement marks “Shōgun” as a monumental masterpiece in TV history.
The gripping drama had already broken the record for the most wins in one season during the Creative Arts Emmys, bagging 14 awards and surpassing HBO’s iconic 2008 miniseries “John Adams,” which previously held the record with 13 wins. With the additional wins at the Primetime Emmys, “Shōgun” extended its lead, leaving fans and critics in awe.
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During the Emmy ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the cast and crew of “Shōgun” took the stage to accept the award for Outstanding Drama Series. Executive Producer Justin Marks expressed his gratitude, jokingly thanking Disney Television, Hulu, and FX for green-lighting “a very expensive, subtitled, Japanese period piece whose central climax revolves around a poetry competition.” It was a risk that paid off spectacularly, solidifying “Shōgun” as one of the most decorated shows in Emmy history.
“Shōgun” dominated the main acting categories, with Hiroyuki Sanada winning the award for Lead Actor and Anna Sawai making history as the first Japanese star to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Lead Actress. Sanada not only portrayed Lord Toranaga but also served as a producer on the series, ensuring authenticity in every aspect of the storytelling. He emphasized how the show, though fictional, is steeped in historical inspiration, stating, “To make the story and character believable, we needed to make authentic details.”
Sawai’s portrayal of Lady Mariko struck a chord with audiences, especially Japanese women. In an interview, Sawai revealed that the character of Mariko offered a much-needed representation of strong, complex Japanese women in Western media. “Multiple young girls came up to me saying, ‘This is the first time I’m seeing a real Japanese character that I can relate to,’” she said, highlighting the emotional impact of her role.
Is Shogun a true story?
“Shōgun” is not just a TV drama; it’s a powerful retelling of James Clavell’s epic novel, which was previously adapted into an Emmy-winning NBC miniseries in the 1980s. The 2024 adaptation takes viewers into the heart of feudal Japan, where Lady Mariko (Sawai) navigates a world of power struggles and cultural clashes as she translates for Lord Toranaga (Sanada) and the English ship captain, John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis).
The show’s attention to detail and historical accuracy, balanced with emotional storytelling, is what sets it apart from other period dramas. The combination of complex characters, cultural depth, and stunning visuals resonated not just with viewers but with Emmy voters as well.
Is Shogun worth to watch?
If you haven’t already watched “Shōgun,” now is the perfect time to dive into this record-breaking series. The show offers a unique and gripping narrative that showcases Japanese culture and history with an intensity and authenticity rarely seen on Western screens. With its unforgettable performances, stunning cinematography, and a story that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, “Shōgun” is more than deserving of its 18 Emmy wins.
In breaking this record, “Shōgun” has set a new benchmark for future TV shows. Its success is not just a win for the cast and crew but also for storytelling that celebrates cultural diversity and challenges the norms of mainstream television.
Emmy Winner List
Best comedy series
Abbott Elementary
The Bear
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Hacks – WINNER
Only Murders in the Building
Palm Royale
Reservation Dogs
What We Do in the Shadows
Best drama series
The Crown
Fallout
The Gilded Age
The Morning Show
Mr & Mrs Smith
Shōgun – WINNER
Slow Horses
3 Body Problem
Lead actress in a drama series
Jennifer Aniston – The Morning Show
Carrie Coon – The Gilded Age
Maya Erskine – Mr & Mrs Smith
Anna Sawai – Shōgun – WINNER
Imelda Staunton – The Crown
Reese Witherspoon – The Morning Show
Lead actor in a drama series
Idris Elba – Hijack
Donald Glover – Mr & Mrs Smith
Walton Goggins – Fallout
Gary Oldman – Slow Horses
Hiroyuki Sanada – Shōgun – WINNER
Dominic West – The Crown
Best limited or anthology series
Baby Reindeer – WINNER
Fargo
Lessons in Chemistry
Ripley
True Detective: Night Country
Lead actress in a limited or anthology series
Jodie Foster – True Detective: Night Country – WINNER
Brie Larson – Lessons in Chemistry
Juno Temple – Fargo
Sofia Vergara – Griselda
Naomi Watts – Feud: Capote vs The Swans
Lead actor in a limited or anthology series
Matt Bomer – Fellow Travelers
Jon Hamm – Fargo
Tom Hollander – Feud: Capote vs The Swans
Richard Gadd – Baby Reindeer – WINNER
Andrew Scott – Ripley
Directing for a drama series
Stephen Daldry – The Crown
Mimi Leder – The Morning Show
Hiro Murai – Mr & Mrs Smith
Frederick EO Toye – Shōgun – WINNER
Saul Metzstein – Slow Horses
Salli Richardson-Whitfield – Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty
Directing for a comedy series
Randall Einhorn – Abbott Elementary
Christopher Storer – The Bear – WINNER
Ramy Youssef – The Bear
Guy Ritchie – The Gentlemen
Lucia Aniello – Hacks
Mary Lou Belli – The Ms Pat Show
Writing for a limited or anthology series
Richard Gadd – Baby Reindeer – WINNER
Charlie Brooker – Black Mirror
Noah Hawley – Fargo
Ron Nyswaner – Fellow Travelers
Steven Zaillian – Ripley
Issa López – True Detective: Night Country
Writing for a drama series
Peter Morgan and Meriel Sheibani-Clare – The Crown
Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner – Fallout
Francesca Sloane and Donald Glover – Mr & Mrs Smith
Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks – Shōgun
Rachel Kondo and Caillin Puente – Shōgun
Will Smith – Slow Horses – WINNER
Supporting actor in a limited or anthology series
Jonathan Bailey – Fellow Travelers
Robert Downey Jr – The Sympathizer
Tom Goodman-Hill – Baby Reindeer
John Hawkes – True Detective: Night Country
Lamorne Morris – Fargo – WINNER
Lewis Pullman – Lessons In Chemistry
Treat Williams – Feud: Capote vs The Swans
Talk series
The Daily Show – WINNER
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Late Night With Seth Meyers
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
Writing for a comedy series
Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary
Christopher Storer – The Bear
Meredith Scardino and Sam Means – Girls5eva
Lucia Aniello, Paul W Downs and Jen Statsky – Hacks – WINNER
Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider – The Other Two
Jake Bender and Zach Dunn – What We Do in the Shadows
Directing for a limited or anthology series
Weronika Tofilska – Baby Reindeer
Noah Hawley – Fargo
Gus Van Sant – Feud: Capote vs The Swans
Millicent Shelton – Lessons in Chemistry
Steven Zaillian – Ripley – WINNER
Issa López – True Detective: Night Country
Scripted variety series
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver – WINNER
Saturday Night Live
Supporting actress in a limited or anthology series
Dakota Fanning – Ripley
Lily Gladstone – Under The Bridge
Jessica Gunning – Baby Reindeer – WINNER
Aja Naomi King – Lessons In Chemistry
Diane Lane – Feud: Capote vs The Swans
Nava Mau – Baby Reindeer
Kali Reis – True Detective: Night Country
Outstanding reality competition program
The Amazing Race
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Top Chef
The Traitors – WINNER
The Voice
Lead actress in a comedy series
Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary
Ayo Edebiri – The Bear
Selena Gomez – Only Murders in the Building
Maya Rudolph – Loot
Jean Smart – Hacks – WINNER
Kristen Wiig – Palm Royale
Supporting actress in a drama series
Christine Baranski – The Gilded Age
Nicole Beharie – The Morning Show
Elizabeth Debicki – The Crown – WINNER
Greta Lee – The Morning Show
Lesley Manville – The Crown
Karen Pittman – The Morning Show
Holland Taylor – The Morning Show
Supporting actress in a comedy series
Carol Burnett – Palm Royale
Liza Colón-Zayas – The Bear – WINNER
Hannah Einbinder – Hacks
Janelle James – Abbott Elementary
Sheryl Lee Ralph – Abbott Elementary
Meryl Streep – Only Murders in the Building
Lead actor in a comedy series
Matt Berry – What We Do in the Shadows
Larry David – Curb Your Enthusiasm
Steve Martin – Only Murders in the Building
Martin Short – Only Murders in the Building
Jeremy Allen White – The Bear – WINNER
D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai – Reservation Dogs
Supporting actor in a drama series
Tadanobu Asano – Shōgun
Jon Hamm – The Morning Show
Mark Duplass – The Morning Show
Billy Crudup – The Morning Show – WINNER
Takehiro Hira – Shōgun
Jack Lowden – Slow Horses
Jonathan Pryce – The Crown
Supporting actor in a comedy series
Lionel Boyce – The Bear
Paul W Downs – Hacks
Ebon Moss-Bachrach – The Bear – WINNER
Paul Rudd – Only Murders in the Building
Tyler James Williams – Abbott Elementary
Bowen Yang – Saturday Night Live
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