“Shogun” is set to make history as the first non-English-language series to win the Emmy for Best Drama, the top honor at television’s most prestigious awards ceremony, this Sunday in Los Angeles.
The epic drama, set in the 17th-century Japanese royal courts and centered on feuding dynasties, has already made a mark by securing a record-breaking 14 wins at the Creative Arts Emmys held earlier this week. The show is expected to shine at the main ceremony, with strong predictions for awards for its cast, including Hiroyuki Sanada.
Produced by Disney-owned FX and filmed in Canada, “Shogun” features a Japanese cast and subtitled dialogue. It is only the second non-English-language series to receive a Best Drama nomination, following South Korea’s “Squid Game” two years ago. In addition to the Best Drama prize, “Shogun” is forecasted to win awards for its stars Sanada and Anna Sawai, as well as Tadanobu Asano for his role as the antagonist Kashigi Yabushige.
The show has already surpassed the previous record for the most Emmys won in a single season by a drama series, set by “Game of Thrones,” and is expected to add a few more awards on Sunday. Its main competitor this year is “The Crown,” with Elizabeth Debicki a frontrunner for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Princess Diana.
In the comedy categories, “The Bear” is anticipated to continue its winning streak. The show’s second season, which has received critical acclaim, follows a successful debut season that dominated last year’s Emmys. It has already won seven awards in minor categories, including Best Guest Actress for Jamie Lee Curtis. However, there is some debate over whether “The Bear” should be classified as a comedy due to its heavy themes.
HBO’s “Hacks” is also a strong contender in the comedy categories, with Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder leading the charge for their roles.
Netflix’s “Baby Reindeer,” a controversial limited series based on a Scottish comedian’s solo show about sexual abuse, is expected to be a major contender in the Best Limited Series category. The show’s claim of being a “true story” has sparked legal disputes, but it remains a strong candidate for Emmy recognition. Richard Gadd is also competing for Best Actor against Andrew Scott (“Ripley”) and Jon Hamm (“Fargo”).
This year’s Emmys, the second ceremony of the year due to last summer’s Hollywood strikes, may offer new titles like “Fallout” and “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” a chance to stand out. The ongoing writers’ and actors’ strikes have led to a reduced number of new submissions, which could impact the outcome.
Despite the changes, “Shogun” is poised to continue its legacy. A previous miniseries based on the same novel won three Emmys in 1980.
‘SHOGUN has already won 14 Emmys, an all-time record for a single season of TV.
• Best Sound Mixing • Best Sound Editing • Best Picture Editing • Best Cinematography • Best Period Costumes • Best Main Title Design • Best Production Design • Best Prosthetic Makeup • Best Stunt Performance • Best Casting for a Drama • Best Special Visual Effects • Best Period/Fantasy Makeup • Best Period/Fantasy Hairstyling • Best Guest Actor in a Drama (Néstor Carbonell)
