Anna Sawai shattered a glass ceiling at the Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday night by winning an Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama Series. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she is the first person of Asian descent to win the category.
Sawai, who is Japanese, won for her role as Toda Mariko in Shōgun. She held back tears as she approached the stage to accept her award.
“I was crying before my name was announced. I’m a mess today,” she joked as she addressed the audience.
Sawai thanked the Academy as well as her fellow nominees, whose work she says she “grew up watching.” She thanked the networks, producers, crew members and her castmates, giving a special shout-out to her co-star Hiroyuki Sanada.
“He really has opened doors and continues to open doors for people like me. Thank you so much,” she said.
She also thanked her family and her mother, who attended the awards show with her.
“Mom, I love you. You are the reason I’m here. You showed me stoicism and that’s how I was able to portray Mariko,” she said.
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