Anna Sawai has walked a long road before claiming her astonishing win at the 2024 Emmys. With her win, Sawai also created history by being the first actress of Asian descent to win an Emmy in the Best Lead Actress category. Sawai’s win is among the 18 Emmy wins of Shogun where she played Lady Mariko.
Anna Sawai Creates History With Her Emmy Win
Anna Sawai and Cosmo Jarvis in Shōgun. Image Credit: FX
Anna Sawai’s Emmy win created history as she became the first actress of Asian descent to win the award in the Lead Actress category. Sawai’s performance as critics and fans hailed Lady Marko as her FX show Shogun claimed global fandom after it’s release. In her acceptance speech, Sawai’s heartfelt emotion was clearly visible.
“Thank you to John Landgraf and the whole FX team for believing in our story. Thank you to [co-creators] Justin [Marks] and Rachel [Kondo] for believing in me and giving me this role of a lifetime. Thank you to every one of the crew and cast, led by Hiro (Hiroyuki Sanada). He really has opened doors and continues to open doors for people like me.” Sawai said (via Deadline).
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She went on to thank her co-star, Cosmo Jarvis who played Anjin-san in the show. “The most truthful non-BS actor I’ve ever met,” she said of Jarvis for propelling her to give 120% to her role. She later thanked her mother for her constant support and concluded the speech saying, “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.”
Earlier this year, Beef star Ali Wong claimed her first Emmy making history by being the first actress of Asian descent to win the award. The 2023 Emmys ceremony was postponed due to the dual Hollywood strikes in the same year.
Shogun’s Lady Mariko Was Anna Sawai’s Breakthrough Role
Anna Sawai. Image Credit: FX
Sawai has a few Hollywood credits to her name including her role in the Fast & Furious franchise but with her role as Lady Mariko, the actor claimed much wonder recognition, globally. “I love that we get to see all the struggles of the women,” Sawai said of her character in an interview with Esquire. “Oftentimes, it’s the men that are going to war and the men that have the power. Especially as a Japanese woman, I didn’t see our strength being portrayed in Western media,” she continued.
“But in [Shōgun], we really get to see them execute their strength in a completely different way. It’s so quiet and subtle, but they have so much power. I liked that we get to see the different outlets of Mariko’s power. In the naginata scene, it’s obviously a physical strength that she is showing. But in the scene where she’s confronting Ishido, it’s very outspoken. The real strength is within her—and it’s within the actions that she takes. It’s not loud. The most powerful people are the people that don’t really show it.”
Sadly, her character was surprisingly killed off in the first season of the show which was intended to be a miniseries. However, with the engrossing popularity, the makers have decided to extend the series at FX for two more seasons or perhaps more in the future. Regardless, Sawai’s appearance in the upcoming season is slim to none.
Shogun is streaming on Hulu.
