Anna Sawai has just earned her place in Golden Globes history! The Shōgun star won the award for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series – Drama, making her the first Asian actress to win in this category since Yoko Shimada achieved the same feat in 1981 – both for their portrayals of Lady Mariko in different adaptations of Shōgun.
Sawai, who plays the captivating Toda Mariko in the FX series, was up against some tough competition, including Kathy Bates (Matlock) and Emma D’Arcy (House of the Dragon). But her performance clearly captivated the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
Read more: Anna Sawai: Emmy-winning ‘Shōgun’ star named in Time100 Next list
“Thank you to the voters for voting for me, even though I would vote for Kathy Bates any day,” Sawai said graciously in her acceptance speech. She also highlighted the importance of great writing, thanking the show’s creators: “Thank you to our incredible writers. Without a good script, it’s impossible to give a performance to our fullest potential.”
This Golden Globe win is just the latest achievement in what has been a breakout year for Sawai. Last year, she made history at the Emmys, becoming the first Asian actress to win Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
This year’s win marks a significant moment for representation in Hollywood. Sawai joins Yoko Shimada and Sandra Oh as the only Asian actresses to ever win this prestigious award. With her undeniable talent and the continued success of Shōgun, it’s safe to say that Sawai is a rising star with a bright future ahead.
Read more: Hiroyuki Sanada Wins Golden Globe for ‘Shōgun’, Encourages Young Actors to “Never Give Up”
Co-star Hiroyuki Sanada also scored a major victory at the 2025 Golden Globes, snagging the award for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series – Drama for his powerful portrayal of Lord Yoshii Toranaga in Shōgun.
