Anna Sawai’s win for her role in Shōgun marked a full-circle moment in Golden Globes history, as she’s not the first actress to take home an award for the role.
The late Yoko Shimada became the first Asian actress to win a Golden Globe in 1981 when she took home a trophy for best actress in a television drama award for her portrayal of Lady Mariko, a high-society woman and wife to samurai Buntaro, in the 1980 miniseries Shōgun.
More than 40 years later on Sunday, Jan. 5, Sawai, 32, took home an award for starring as Mariko in the updated, critically acclaimed FX version of Shōgunalso based on James Clavell’s 1975 novel of the same name.
“I have so much people to thank but I’m gonna keep it short, thank you to the voters for voting for me even though I would vote for Kathy Bates any day,” she said while accepting the award, referencing her fellow nominee, which elicited laughs from the crowd. “Thank you to our incredible writers, without a good script, it’s impossible to give a performance to our fullest, full potential. Thank you. Everyone else – I’m gonna thank you later.”
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Although the actresses both starred as Mariko, a mysterious character who serves as an interpreter between Japanese Lord Yoshii Toranaga and Protestant Englishman John Blackthorne, the 2024 and 1980 series differed in significant ways.
In 1980, Shimada’s Mariko served much more as a love interest for Blackthorne, and in the 2024 series, Sawai’s Mariko is highly educated and patriotic, serving as a key figure in the battle and conflicts of 17th century feudal Japan.
Shimada would go on to be nominated for outstanding lead actress in a limited series or special for her work in 1981, later losing the prize to Vanessa Redgrave for her role in the Holocaust drama series Playing for Time.
After Shimada — who died in 2022 at age 69 — won her Golden Globe, it would be nearly 25 years before another Asian actress would win an award for TV acting at the awards ceremony.
Sandra Oh eventually took home the trophy for best supporting actress in a series for her role on Grey’s Anatomy in 2005, and won best actress in a series in 2018 for Killing Eve. Ali Wong also won best actress in a limited series in 2024 for her role in Beef.
Kurt Iswarienko/FX; Silver Screen Collection/Getty
Shōgun and its cast nearly swept the TV drama categories, taking home four trophies, including Hiroyuki Sanada, who played Lord Toranaga, taking home the prize for best actor in a television drama, and Tadanobu Asano as the villainous Kashigi Yabushige, winning best supporting actor. Shōgun also won best television series drama.
“I’d love to say thank you for everyone who’s been in my life. All of you have brought me here,” Sanada, 64, said after his win.
He also gave advice to “young actors and creators in the world,” telling them, “Please be yourself, believe in yourself, and never give up. Good luck.”
The FX series premiered in February 2024 to critical acclaim, and had an impressive run during last year’s awards season. At the 2024 Emmy Awards, Sanada also took home the prize for best actor in a drama, making history as the first Japanese actor to do so.
FX confirmed in last year that the series would be returning for a second season in 2025.
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Shōgun is available to stream on Hulu.
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