‘Shōgun’ Star Anna Sawai Is First Asian to Win Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama
“Shōgun” star Anna Sawai made history as the first Asian performer to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday. Sawai was honored for her captivating leading performance as Lady Toda Mariko in the acclaimed FX series.
Her historic Emmy win comes six years after Sandra Oh became the first Asian performer to be nominated in the lead drama actress category in 2018 for BBC America’s “Killing Eve.” Oh was nominated three more times for the same role, but never won.
Sawai wasn’t the only Asian actress hoping to make a stamp on history. Maya Erskine was also nominated in Sawai’s category for her lead role in Prime Video’s “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.”
Sawai, who was born in New Zealand to Japanese parents and is mainly based in Japan, was considered the frontrunner to win her category, which had heavy competition.
Her historic Emmy win comes six years after Sandra Oh became the first Asian performer to be nominated in the lead drama actress category in 2018 for BBC America’s “Killing Eve.” Oh was nominated three more times for the same role, but never won.
Sawai wasn’t the only Asian actress hoping to make a stamp on history. Maya Erskine was also nominated in Sawai’s category for her lead role in Prime Video’s “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.”
Sawai, who was born in New Zealand to Japanese parents and is mainly based in Japan, was considered the frontrunner to win her category, which had heavy competition.
- 9/16/2024
- by Philiana Ng
- The Wrap
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