Anna Sawai makes history with Emmys win for ‘Shōgun’

“You showed me stoicism and that’s how I was able to portray Mariko.”

Anna Sawai, star of FX’s Shōgun, made history at the 76th Emmy Awards on Sunday, becoming the first Asian performer to win the Emmy for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

Nominated for her role as noble and translator Lady Toda Mariko in the epic historical fiction series, Sawai was up against Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon forThe Morning Show, Maya Erskine for Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Imelda Staunton for The Crown, and Carrie Coon for The Gilded Age.

Sawai delivered an emotional acceptance speech, thanking Shōgun star and producer Hiroyuki Sanada, who also made history winning Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series, for “continuing to open doors for people like me.” She also thanked her co-star Cosmo Jarvis and the Shōgun cast and crew, and finished her speech thanking her mother, who was in the audience: “Mom, I love you. You are the reason 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.”

Including Sawai and Sanada’s awards, Shōgun picked up four more awards at Sunday night’s Emmys, including Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series. Along with its wins from the 76th Creative Arts Emmys that brings Shōgun’s total up to 18 (an Emmys record).

For more memorable Emmys moments — including Hiroyuki Sanada’s acceptance speech — and a full list of winners, Mashable’s got you covered.

Shannon Connellan is Mashable’s UK Editor based in London, formerly Mashable’s Australia Editor, but emotionally, she lives in the Creel House. A Tomatometer-approved critic, Shannon writes about everything (but not anything) across entertainment, tech, social good, science, and culture.

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