The epic historical drama Shōgun becomes the first non-English language series to win best drama at the Emmys, while Hacks and The Bear also secured multiple awards, highlighting a night of historic wins and memorable speeches.

At the 2024 Emmys, Shōgun, a period drama based on the 1975 novel, broke new ground by becoming the first non-English language series to win the Best Drama award. This historic achievement was complemented by four total awards, including Best Actor and Best Actress for Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai, making them the first Japanese actors to win in their respective categories. Sanada expressed gratitude, stating that the series demonstrated the power of collaborative effort to create positive change.

Earlier this month, Shōgun had already made headlines at the Creative Arts Emmys, where it garnered a record-setting 14 awards in a single night, surpassing previous records. The 2024 Emmys marked the second ceremony of the year due to last year’s postponement caused by Hollywood strikes, with the final season of Succession dominating the first ceremony.

In the comedy category, Hacks emerged as the surprising winner of Best Comedy Series. The HBO show, which features the dynamic between two female comedians, triumphed over previous winners The Bear and Abbott Elementary. Jean Smart, who stars in Hacks, won Best Lead Actress for the third time, and the series also took home the award for Best Writing for a Comedy Series.

The Bear continued its impressive streak by winning four Emmys, including acting awards for Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Liza Colón-Zayas. Zayas, who won her first Emmy, delivered a poignant speech encouraging Latinas to vote for their rights. The second season of The Bear, recognized for its exceptional achievements, became the most-awarded comedy season in Emmys history. Eugene Levy, co-host of the ceremony, humorously addressed the show’s genre classification controversies, opting not to joke about its comedic status.

Netflix’s Baby Reindeer also made waves, winning four awards, including Best Limited or Anthology Series and acting awards for Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning. Gadd, who won for writing, spoke about his personal journey of overcoming adversity and emphasized the importance of taking risks in television storytelling. The show is currently involved in a legal battle with a $170 million defamation suit, with the trial set for next May.

In other categories, Jodie Foster won Best Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series for True Detective: Night Country, marking her first Emmy win. Elizabeth Debicki secured Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Princess Diana in The Crown, her second nomination and first win for the role. Billy Crudup took home Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for The Morning Show, while Will Smith of Slow Horses won for Best Writing in a Drama Series.

The Best Reality Competition Program award went to the US version of The Traitors, which dethroned RuPaul’s Drag Race, a previous four-time winner. At the Creative Arts Emmys, Alan Cumming was honoured as Best Host.

Despite the numerous wins, several highly-nominated shows, including Mr and Mrs Smith, Only Murders in the Building, Fallout, and Abbott Elementary, did not secure any awards. The ceremony featured cast reunions from Happy Days, Saturday Night Live, and The West Wing, with Richard Schiff reflecting on how current political events would have seemed far-fetched years ago.

Co-host Dan Levy remarked on the Emmys as “broadcast TV’s biggest night for honouring movie stars on streaming services” in his opening speech. The night also included notable comments on political figures and diversity, with John Leguizamo addressing the lack of diversity in the industry and praising the diverse nominations this year while calling for further progress.

Analysis

Political

The Emmys’ recognition of Shōgun, a non-English language series, represents a significant shift in the cultural and political landscape of television. This historic win underscores the growing influence of international content in American media, challenging the long-standing dominance of English-language productions. The acknowledgement of diverse voices and stories reflects a broader trend towards inclusivity and globalization in the entertainment industry. Additionally, the ceremony’s political undertones, including comments on figures like JD Vance, highlight the intersection of media and politics, demonstrating how entertainment platforms increasingly address and reflect political issues.

Social

The success of Shōgun and other diverse winners such as Baby Reindeer and The Bear mirrors evolving societal norms and values, emphasizing the importance of representation and diversity. The historic wins for non-English language content and underrepresented actors signify a broader societal shift towards recognizing and valuing diverse narratives. The emotional speeches and personal stories shared by winners further underscore the social impact of these achievements, celebrating perseverance and the power of storytelling to bridge cultural and social gaps.

Racial

The achievements of Shōgun and Baby Reindeer are particularly notable in the context of racial representation. Shōgun’s success, including the awards for Japanese actors, highlights the increasing visibility and recognition of Asian talent in a predominantly Western industry. Similarly, Liza Colón-Zayas’s win and her advocacy for Latina rights address ongoing issues of racial and ethnic representation in media. These victories reflect a growing awareness and appreciation of racial diversity, although challenges remain in achieving equitable representation across all facets of the industry.

Gender

The Emmys highlighted notable gender dynamics, with Hacks winning Best Comedy Series and Jean Smart securing her third Lead Actress award. The prominence of female-led projects and the recognition of female talent in various categories underscore ongoing conversations about gender equality in the industry. The success of female-centred narratives and the representation of strong female leads reflect progress towards more equitable gender representation in television. However, the continued focus on gender issues also highlights areas where further improvements are needed to achieve full gender parity.

Economic

The economic impact of these Emmy wins extends to both the media industry and the broader entertainment market. Shōgun’s historic win may influence investment and production decisions, encouraging the development of more international and diverse content. The success of Netflix’s Baby Reindeer, despite ongoing legal controversies, demonstrates the commercial potential of bold and innovative storytelling. The Emmys’ recognition of diverse and unconventional shows highlights shifting market trends and consumer preferences, which increasingly favour unique and inclusive content. The success of these shows may drive further economic investment in similar projects, reflecting the evolving dynamics of the entertainment industry.