Japan-set historical epic “Shogun” celebrated breaking all-time records at television’s Emmy Awards on Monday, as “The Bear” and “Baby Reindeer” racked up big wins at the glitzy gala in Los Angeles.
“Shogun,” the tale of warring dynasties in feudal Japan, is already the most honored single season of any show in Emmys history, having accrued 14 gongs in minor categories at a separate ceremony last weekend and one so far on the night.
It is hotly tipped to become the first ever non-English-language winner of the award for best drama series later in the night, and could also win acting awards for veteran leading man Hiroyuki Sanada, and co-lead Anna Sawai.
‘Shogun’ makes history with record 18 Emmy winsIt won the Emmy for best directing of a drama series.
This is the second Emmys gala this year, after crippling twin strikes in Hollywood last year bumped the 2023 ceremony to January.
In the comedy categories, Jeremy Allen White and Ebon Moss-Bachrach took early prizes for best lead and supporting actor as foodie chefs in “The Bear.”
“The Bear” co-star Liza Colon-Zayas sprung a surprise by besting the likes of Meryl Streep (“Only Murders in the Buildings”) to win best supporting actress.
But HBO’s “Hacks” limited the rampage by “The Bear,” winning the comedy writing prize, while Jean Smart claimed her third lead actress for her role as a diva comedienne.
One of Monday’s other big winners was Netflix’s word-of-mouth smash “Baby Reindeer,” based on a relatively unknown Scottish comedian’s harrowing one-man show about sexual abuse.
Jessica Gunning, who played the stalker, won the Emmy for best supporting actress in a limited series.
Jodie Foster is a best actress favourite for her turn as an Alaskan cop in “True Detective: Night Country,” up against fellow Oscar winner Brie Larson, as a pioneering female chemist in “Lessons in Chemistry.”
But all eyes are on “Shogun,” an epic based on James Clavell’s historical fiction, which led the nominations with 25 overall.
Though produced by Disney-owned FX, and shot in Canada, it features a primarily Japanese cast and subtitles, making it only the second non-English-language show to earn a best drama nomination, after South Korea’s “Squid Game” two years ago.
With 14 wins in the minor categories before Sunday’s ceremony, “Shogun” has already eclipsed the previous record for number of Emmys for a drama in a single season, set by “Game of Thrones” with 12.
“We haven’t even given out a single award tonight, and yet “Shogun” has already made Emmy history,” noted Daniel Levy, in the show’s opening segment.
Its biggest rival this year is former drama winner “The Crown.”
The final season of Netflix’s British royal saga drew a lukewarm response from critics, but Elizabeth Debicki won best supporting actress as Princess Diana.
Billy Crudup won best supporting actor in a drama for “The Morning Show.”
