LOS ANGELES: At the 76th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on September 15, 2024, FX’s monumental drama series ‘Shogun’ not only clinched the coveted Outstanding Drama Series award but also set a new benchmark with a total of 18 Emmy wins—a record that stands tall in the prestigious event’s storied history.
The series, which immerses viewers in the intricate and captivating world of 17th-century Japan, faced stiff competition from a slate of formidable nominees.
Among the contenders were acclaimed dramas such as ‘The Crown’, ‘Fallout’, ‘The Gilded Age’, ‘The Morning Show’, ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’, ‘Slow Horses’, and ‘3 Body Problem’.
However, it was ‘Shogun’ that emerged triumphant, leaving a lasting impact on the industry with its groundbreaking achievement.
This year, ‘Shogun’ received a remarkable 25 nominations. The show’s historic sweep began with the Creative Arts Emmys, where it secured an impressive 14 awards.
On the Primetime Emmy stage, the series added four more trophies to its collection, including awards for lead actors Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai.
In his acceptance speech, co-creator Justin Marks expressed profound gratitude.
“Thank you for this incredible honour. We are so grateful,” Marks said, his voice filled with emotion.
He acknowledged the unwavering support of FX’s executives, John Landgraf, Gina Balin, Kate Lambert, Lindsay Donahue, and Nick Grad, who took a bold leap of faith in greenlighting “a very expensive, subtitled, Japanese period piece whose central climax revolves around a poetry competition.”
Marks humorously pondered the rationale behind their choice, before handing the microphone to Hiroyuki Sanada.
Speaking in Japanese, Sanada’s heartfelt words were translated by Marks.
“We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all the crew, and directors, and masters who have inherited and supported our samurai period dramas up until now,” Sanada conveyed.
“The passion and dreams that we have inherited from you have crossed oceans and borders,” he said.
The win for ‘Shogun’ was particularly significant given the strong competition it faced.
‘The Crown’, which concluded its sixth and final season, was celebrated for its poignant portrayal of royal life. The series received nominations for Dominic West and Imelda Staunton, among others.
‘Fallout’, based on the popular video game franchise, presented a unique post-apocalyptic vision set in 2296, which captivated audiences with its fresh storylines. The show’s star, Walter Goggins, was nominated for his role as Ghoul.
‘The Gilded Age’, from ‘Downton Abbey’ creator Julian Fellowes, explored the tensions between old and new money in late 19th-century New York City. Christine Baranski and Cynthia Nixon earned nominations for their performances.
‘The Morning Show’ offered a behind-the-scenes look at the fictional UBA network and was lauded for its strong performances by Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston. It received 10 nominations.
‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’, a reimagining of the classic film starring Donald Glover and Maya Erskine, and ‘Slow Horses’, with its riveting espionage narrative and performances by Gary Oldman and Jack Lowden.
The 2024 Emmys marked a return to grandeur after the delays caused by last year’s dual strikes.
Broadcast live on Lionsgate Play from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, the ceremony underscored a year of remarkable storytelling and exceptional talent. (ANI)