Japanese star Anna Sawai talks about her performance in FX's Shōgun and her well-deserved Emmy nomination.
The heavy emotional arc of Anna Sawai's character in "Shōgun"
Anna Sawai could become the first Japanese actress to take home an Emmy win for her role as Lady Toda Mariko on FX's Shōgun. The actress, who found fame in J-Pop before transitioning into acting, is still trying to wrap her head around the fact that she's made it to Hollywood.
Based on James Clavell's best-selling novel, the series is set in feudal Japan where Hiroyuki Sanada's Lord Yoshii Toranaga uncovers the secrets behind the mysterious European ship found in a nearby village. As for her eventual lead drama actress win, Sawai immediately brushed the praise aside, perhaps out of disbelief or genuine humility.
After appearing in 2009's Ninja Assassin and 2021's F9: The Fast Saga, New Zealand-born Japanese actress Anna Sawai still finds it hard to believe she starred in a critically acclaimed series. In addition to being a beginner in the industry, she also deals with harsh self-criticism.
