As we embark on a new era post-Succession, a formidable contender has emerged, poised to grasp the reins of power at the 2024 Emmys. FX Productions' extravagantly crafted Japanese period drama Shogun, a tale intricately woven around the complex succession following the demise of a venerated leader, made a resounding splash Wednesday morning, dominating the drama category announcements with a staggering 25 nominations. Unparalleled, no other show across all categories could match its feat.
Not only did Shogun secure a nod for Best Drama, but it also garnered recognition for Hiroyuki Sanada's portrayal of Lord Yoshii Toranaga in the Best Dramatic Actor category, while Anna Sawai's captivating performance as Toda Mariko earned her a Best Dramatic Actress nomination. The supporting cast was equally impressive, with Tadanobu Asano's fan-beloved samurai Kashigi Yabushige and Takehiro Hira's cunning throne-aspiring Ishido Kazunari receiving nominations. Néstor Carbonelle's guest role as Rodrigues also garnered a nod in the Best Guest Actor category.
The technical brilliance of Shogun was also recognized, earning nominations for Production Design, Original Dramatic Score, Stunt Performance, Sound Editing, Casting, Cinematography (for Sam McCurdy and Christopher Ross), Costume Design, and Best Series Directing for Frederick E.O. Toye.
While the winners remain veiled until September, these nominations already mark a momentous milestone for FX and its parent company Disney. This lavish series, a decade in the making and once a risky investment, has now become a triumphant achievement. It's also a triumphant moment for Asian representation and non-English-language television, following in the footsteps of Netflix's Korean sensation Squid Game in 2022. Shogun stands as the second non-English-language series to be recognized in the prestigious Outstanding Drama Series category, a testament to its unwavering quality and impact.
Initially destined for the Limited Series categories, Shogun's fate shifted dramatically when co-creators Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo announced in May that two additional seasons were in development. This shift catapulted Shogun into the Drama race, where it stands as a formidable contender in this year's open and competitive field, with several heavyweights like Succession and Better Call Saul having concluded their runs and other favorites facing delays due to Hollywood's writers and actors strikes.
Shogun's nominations marked a groundbreaking moment, as every esteemed Japanese cast member was a first-time nominee in their own right, and many of them also held the distinction of being the inaugural Japanese nominees in their respective Emmy categories. Prior to this, the only Japanese actor to receive an Emmy nod was Masi Oka, who was recognized for his supporting role in Heroes in 2007.
However, the Shogun saga is not a stranger to Emmy glory. Shogun is FX's most streamed series globally, and it is the second television adaptation of James Clavell's influential and best-selling 1975 novel of the same name, a tale that explores duty, honor, and the quest for power in Feudal Japan. Produced by Paramount Television and filmed on location in Japan with an unprecedented budget, the original Shogun sparked a cultural phenomenon when it aired on NBC in 1980. It garnered 12 Emmy nominations in 1981, ultimately winning for outstanding limited series, costume design, and best title sequence.
Now, with Paramount's adaptation having concluded where Clavell's beloved story ends—similarly to the first season of FX's Shogun—the series' writers embark on a daring journey into unexplored territory, crafting two new seasons in a bid to extend Shogun's reign at the Emmys.
