With one ofShōgun’s many impressive Emmy wins at the 76th ceremony, the FX series has broken a longstanding record that one show should have ended a couple of years ago. The historical drama, created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, isbased on James Clavell’s 1975 novel of the same, following an English sailor who becomes stranded in Japan, experiencing culture shock and meeting many interesting characters.Shōgunhas received critical acclaim for its first season,which aired from February 27 to June 23, 2025. So, its numerous Emmy wins aren’t surprising, but they are still monumental.
Even thoughShōgunwas conceived to only be a limited series, its success persuaded FX to order two more seasons, both of which are in development as of the writing of this article.
Shōgunwas nominated for eight awards at the 76th Primetime Emmysin September 2024, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and more. Ultimately, the FX show won four Emmys, making its success rate 50 percent.Shōgunmade history by winning Outstanding Drama Series, beatingshows likeThe Crown, Fallout, The Gilded Age, The Morning Show, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Slow Horses,and3 Body Problem. While its accomplishments are exciting, one can’t help but look back to two years ago, wondering why another popular series didn’t achieve whatShōgundid at the 2024 Emmys.
Shogun Is The First Non-English Show To Win The Outstanding Drama Emmy
Shogun Has Made Emmys History
WithShōgun’s Outstanding Drama Serieswin at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, the historical drama is now the first non-English TV series to win in the category. From the Emmys' inaugural ceremony in 1949 until its 75th show,every single Outstanding Drama Series champion has been an English-speaking project.Successionhas been the most recent TV show that has dominated the category, winning three times over the course of its four seasons. However, now thatSuccessionhas ended, it’s time for a new top dog.
10 Best Movies To Watch If You Miss Shogun
While Shogun season 2 will be in development for the foreseeable future, there are several great films with similar themes & settings to check out.
Not only didShōgunwin Outstanding Drama Series, but it alsotook home trophies for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Hiroyuki Sanada for “The Abyss of Life”),Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Anna Sawai for “Crimson Sky”), and Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (Frederick E. O. Toye for “Crimson Sky”). Tadanobu Asano and Takehiro Hira were nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series but lost toThe Morning Show’sBilly Crudup. TwoShōgunseason 1 episodes also received nods for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, but they both lost toSlow Horses.
Squid Game Should Have Set Shogun’s Emmys Drama Show Record In 2022
Squid Game Was Nominated For Outstanding Drama Series But Lost
While everyone will and should be celebratingShōgun’s historic Outstanding Drama Series win, it’s also a reminder ofSquid Game’s loss in 2022. The Netflix South Korean dystopian survival thriller was nominated for the Emmy two years ago. However,Squid Gamelost toSuccession.Giventhe hype surroundingSquid Gameand its numerous awards, the Outstanding Drama Series result was shocking. Nevertheless,Shōgunrectified the mistake in 2024, becoming the first non-English show to win the Emmy for best drama.
Shogun
Cast
Shōgun, released in 2024, is set in Japan during 1600 at the onset of a significant civil war. It follows Lord Yoshii Toranaga as he battles political adversaries on the Council of Regents, while a European ship mysteriously appears in a nearby fishing village, complicating the tides of power.
