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‘Shogun’ Breaks Records with 25 Emmy Nominations
As we step into the post- Succession era, a potential new leader has emerged at the 2024 Emmys.
FX Productions’ Japanese period series Shōgun — centered around the complex succession process following the death of a leader — triumphed in the drama category announcements on Wednesday morning, bagging 25 nominations.
Alongside its nomination for best drama, Shōgun earned a best dramatic actor nomination for Hiroyuki Sanada as Yoshii Toranaga, and Anna Sawai was nominated for best dramatic actress for her role as Toda Mariko.
In the best supporting dramatic actor competition, Tadanobu Asano and Takehiro Hira received nominations for their roles as Kashigi Yabushige and Ishido Kazunari respectively. Nestor Carbonelle was also nominated for best guest actor in a drama for his role as Rodrigues.
Shōgun garnered numerous nominations in technical categories, including production design, original dramatic score, stunt performance, sound editing, casting, cinematography, costume design, and a best series directing nomination for Frederick E.O. Toye.
Although the winners won’t be announced until September, these nominations are a significant accomplishment for FX and Disney, given the series’ long and uncertain journey. It represents an important milestone for Asian representation in television. Following Netflix’s Korean hit Squid Game in 2022, Shōgun is the second non-English-language series nominated for outstanding drama series.
Originally, Shōgun was expected to compete in the limited series categories. However, after co-creators Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo revealed that two more seasons are in the works, the series moved to the drama race. This category is considered the Emmys’ most prestigious, and Shōgun benefits from the current open field, with shows like Succession and Better Call Saul having concluded, and other major contenders delayed due to Hollywood’s strikes.
Shōgun has received nominations in almost every drama category, with its stars emerging as strong contenders. Veteran actor Hiroyuki Sanada landed his first best actor nomination, alongside Cosmo Jarvis. Anna Sawai, praised for her role as Lady Mariko, secured a spot in the best actress race. Tadanobu Asano was nominated in the best supporting actor category, and Takehiro Hira also made it in, an unexpected but welcome addition. Supportive actresses Moeka Hoshi and Fumi Nikaido also received nominations, as did guest actors Nestor Carbonelle and Yuko Miyamoto. The series’ meticulous recreation of Feudal Japan earned numerous craft nominations.
Notably, the nominated Japanese cast members are all first-time Emmy nominees, a historic achievement. Prior to this, the only Japanese actor nominated for an Emmy was Masi Oka, nominated for Heroes in 2007.
Shōgun is not a newcomer to Emmy’s success. It’s FX’s most-watched series but is the second TV adaptation of James Clavell’s 1975 novel. The first adaptation, produced by Paramount Television and aired on NBC in 1980, was a pop culture hit and won several Emmys, including for outstanding limited series.
The new Shōgun series ends where the novel concludes, just like the 1980 adaptation. The writers now face the challenge of crafting two more seasons, venturing into uncharted territory to maintain the series’ Emmy success.
Source: FX Productions
