The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards were a night of triumph for Anna Sawai, who became the first Japanese actress to win an Emmy. Sawai won the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama for her portrayal of Lady Mariko in FX’s Shōgun.
In her acceptance speech, Sawai expressed her gratitude to the Academy, the FX team, and her co-star Hiroyuki Sanada. “Thank you to the Academy for naming me alongside my fellow nominees, whose work I have grown up watching and love,” she said. “Thank you to [FX Networks chairman] John Landgraf and the whole FX team for believing in our story. Thank you for believing in me and giving me this role of a lifetime. And thank you to every single one of the crew and cast led by [costar Hiroyuki Sanada]—he really has opened doors and continues to open doors for people like me.”
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Sawai also thanked her mother, who inspired her portrayal of Lady Mariko. “Lastly, thank you to my team and thank you to my family. Mom—I love you, you are the reason I’m here,” Sawai added. “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.”
Sawai’s win is a significant milestone for representation in Hollywood. She is the first woman of Asian descent to win the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
Sawai was overwhelmed with emotion after her win. “I was crying before my name was announced; I’m a mess today,” she said in her acceptance speech. She also admitted that she didn’t even hear her name being called when the nominations were announced. “When they announced three people before me, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is not going to happen,'” she recalled. “And then when I’m thinking that, my manager calls, and I miss my name.”
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Despite the initial shock, Sawai was overjoyed to win the award. “I mean, I’m just so happy for the team. Like, everyone worked so hard, and I’m sure for every show everyone’s working hard. But I’m just really proud and happy,” she said.
