Hiroyuki Sanada Becomes First Japanese Actor to Win Best Lead in a Drama Series for ‘Shogun’

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Hiroyuki Sanada Becomes First Japanese Actor to Win Best Lead in a Drama Series for ‘Shogun’

As a seasoned gamer with an extensive collection of titles under my belt, I must say that watching Hiroyuki Sanada‘s journey in Hollywood is akin to completing an epic RPG quest. His victory at the 2024 Emmys feels like unlocking a rare achievement in a game, one that requires patience, skill, and unwavering determination.

2024 Emmy Awards saw Hiroyuki Sanada being honored as the Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series. This marks a significant milestone, making him the first Japanese actor and the second Asian actor overall, to claim this title in the Emmys’ illustrious history.

Sanada expressed his deep gratitude to be amongst such extraordinary nominees, as he graciously accepted the award bestowed upon him by Steven Yeun. He thanked FX, Disney, and Hulu for their faith in him, praised his team for their unwavering support, and applauded the entire cast and crew of Shogun. He expressed his pride in them all, calling it an ‘east meets west dream project’ that he held in high regard. For him, Shogun was a lesson in unity, demonstrating that when we work together, we can create wonders and shape a brighter future.

I’m thrilled to share that I was honored with the title of Best Lead Actor for my portrayal of Yoshii Toranaga in “Shogun”. This victory has further cemented the FX series as a record-breaking show, earning an impressive 14 awards at the Creative Arts Emmys last weekend. Our talented co-star, Anna Sawai, who brings Toda Mariko to life, also took home the Emmy for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Altogether, our series garnered an astounding 25 Emmy nominations. What a remarkable journey this has been!

This year, Sanada clinched victory similar to Lee Jung-jae, who was the initial Asian actor to secure the Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 2022, due to his role in Netflix’s Squid Game. Notably, this win marked Lee as the first individual to receive an acting award from the TV Academy for a performance that wasn’t delivered in English.

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2024-09-16 06:24