“Shogun” Makes History with 18 Emmy Wins, “Hacks” Surprises, and “Baby Reindeer” Shines in Unpredictable Emmy Awards
At an Emmy Awards night full of unexpected twists, FX’s Shogun stormed to an 18-Emmy victory in its first season, breaking records and elevating Japanese stars Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai into the spotlight. The unexpected wins of Sanada and Sawai, the first and second Japanese actors to win Best Actor and Best Actress in a Drama, added a thrilling twist to the evening.
The FX series, set in feudal Japan, centers on power struggles and cultural clashes. It took home the Best Drama Series award, making Shogun a dominant force at this year’s ceremony. Reflecting on the collaboration, Sanada said, “‘Shogun’ taught me that when we work together, we can make miracles.”
After a slow start, the show’s late rise on the scoreboard shattered the previous Emmy record held by John Adams, showcasing the international appeal of its storytelling and performances. Overcome with emotion, Sawai’s heartfelt words, “When you saw me cry on stage, it was probably the 12th time I cried today,” resonated with the audience, making her groundbreaking win even more touching.
“The Bear” and “Hacks” Shake Up Comedy Awards
Despite losing out on Best Comedy after many had expected it to win, FX’s The Bear continued to make waves with its second-year success. Star Jeremy Allen White secured his second consecutive Emmy for Best Actor in a Comedy, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach repeated his win for Best Supporting Actor. However, the biggest shock came when Hacks, HBO’s quirky series about a veteran stand-up comic, pulled off an upset and claimed the Best Comedy title, leaving the audience pleasantly surprised.
Jean Smart, who leads Hacks as the razor-sharp Deborah Vance, won her third consecutive Emmy for Best Actress in a Comedy, bringing her total Emmy wins to six.
“We were really shocked,” Hacks co-creator Jen Statsky confessed after the ceremony. “We were truly, really surprised.”
Liza Colón-Zayas added to The Bear‘s trophy haul, becoming the first Latina to win Best Supporting Actress, a historic victory over competition that included Meryl Streep. “To all the Latinas who are looking at me,” Colón-Zayas said, her eyes welling with tears, “Keep believing, and vote.”
“Baby Reindeer” Stuns with Best Limited Series
Netflix’s Baby Reindeer, an intense and dark limited series, made its mark by winning Best Limited Series. Creator and star Richard Gadd, who also won for lead acting and writing, encouraged television makers to take risks, stating, “The only constant across any success in television is good storytelling. So, take risks and push boundaries. Explore the uncomfortable. Dare to fail to achieve.”
Gadd’s Baby Reindeer, based on his own one-man stage show about his experiences with sexual abuse and trauma, left an indelible mark on the evening. Jessica Gunning, who played his tormentor, won Best Supporting Actress for her role.
Jodie Foster Wins Best Actress for “True Detective”
Jodie Foster, already an acclaimed actress with two Oscars, won her first Emmy for portraying a hard-nosed police chief in HBO’s True Detective: Night Country. Against the haunting backdrop of an Alaskan winter, Foster’s performance as a gritty investigator captivated audiences and critics alike, making her win a significant moment in Emmy Awards history. She took the stage to celebrate not just her win but also the contributions of Indigenous collaborators on the show.
“The Inupiaq and Inuit people of northern Alaska who told us their stories… allowed us to listen,” Foster said. “That was just a blessing. It was love, love, love, and when you feel that, something amazing happens.”
Greg Berlanti Honored for LGBTQ+ Contributions
Greg Berlanti, a veteran writer and producer known for shows like Dawson’s Creek and Everwood, was awarded the Television Academy’s Governors Award for increasing LGBTQ+ visibility on television. Reflecting on his youth, Berlanti noted the lack of representation on screen and how it impacted him as a closeted gay child.
“There weren’t a lot of gay characters on television back then, and I was a closeted gay kid,” Berlanti said. “It’s hard to describe how lonely that was back then.”
Broadcast Networks Continue to Struggle
The night signaled further decline for traditional broadcast television, with none of the four major networks scoring any wins. Host Dan Levy, alongside his father Eugene Levy, didn’t let this go unnoticed, humorously declaring the Emmys “broadcast TV’s biggest night for honoring movie stars on streaming services” during their opening monologue.
Despite the broadcast TV struggles, the night’s events were an energetic blend of tradition, diversity, and unexpected turns, making for an unforgettable Emmy Awards.