Ohio Voice 
Shōgun has made history at the Emmys as the first non-English language series to win Best Drama. The historical epic, based on the 1975 novel, triumphed with four awards, including accolades for lead actors Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai, who became the first Japanese actors to win in their categories.
Sanada reflected on the experience, saying the show demonstrated that “when people work together, we can make miracles, we can create a better future together.”
This month, Shōgun also set a new record at the Creative Arts Emmys, securing 14 awards in a single night—more than any other series has achieved in one year. This year’s Emmys, the second to take place since last year’s ceremony was postponed due to the Hollywood strikes, follow the January awards where Succession’s final season dominated.
In the comedy categories, Hacks emerged as the surprise winner for Best Comedy Series, beating out previous winner The Bear and Abbott Elementary. Jean Smart earned her third Emmy for lead actress in the show about two female comedians working together. Hacks also won Best Writing for a Comedy Series.
The Bear, meanwhile, swept the comedy categories with four Emmys, including acting awards for Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Liza Colón-Zayas, who won her first Emmy and delivered an impassioned speech about voting rights. The Bear’s second season now holds the record for the most awarded comedy season in Emmys history. Hosts Eugene and Dan Levy made light of the show’s genre debate, choosing not to comment on whether it truly fits the comedy category.
Netflix’s breakout Baby Reindeer also won four awards, including Best Limited or Anthology Series and acting awards for Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning. The show also earned two awards at last weekend’s Creative Arts Emmys.
Gadd, reflecting on his wins, spoke about overcoming adversity and the importance of taking risks in television. He encouraged creative professionals to “take risks, push boundaries, explore the uncomfortable, dare to fail in order to achieve.”
Amid these celebrations, a $170 million defamation trial against Netflix related to the show is set for next May. The plaintiff claims the series has negatively impacted her life.
In other categories, Lamorne Morris was named Best Supporting Actor for Fargo, and Steven Zaillian won Best Directing for Ripley. Jodie Foster won Best Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series for True Detective: Night Country, marking her first Emmy win. Elizabeth Debicki was recognized for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Princess Diana in The Crown.
Billy Crudup won Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for The Morning Show, while Will Smith from Slow Horses took home Best Writing in a Drama Series.
The US version of The Traitors was named Best Reality Competition Program, defeating RuPaul’s Drag Race, which had previously won the award four times. Alan Cumming was honored as Best Host at last weekend’s Creative Arts Emmys.
Several highly nominated shows, including Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Only Murders in the Building, Fallout, and Abbott Elementary, left the ceremony empty-handed.
The evening also featured cast reunions from Happy Days, Saturday Night Live, and The West Wing, with Richard Schiff humorously reflecting on today’s political headlines. Dan Levy, co-hosting and a previous Emmy winner for Schitt’s Creek, characterized the Emmys as “broadcast TV’s biggest night for honoring movie stars on streaming services.”
The night included moments of political commentary, with Selena Gomez referring to herself as a “childless cat lady” and Candice Bergen turning an anecdote about Murphy Brown into a critique of current political attitudes. John Leguizamo also addressed diversity issues in television, praising this year’s nominees but calling for further improvements.
