‘Shogun’ and ‘Hacks’ Claim Top Honors at TV’s Emmy Awards

The historical epic Shogun triumphed at the Emmy Awards on Sunday, winning the coveted Best Drama award, while Hacks pulled off a surprise victory in the Best Comedy category, beating out the expected frontrunner, The Bear. The Emmy Awards, celebrating the best in television, also honored Shogun stars Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai with acting awards for their roles in the sweeping tale of political intrigue in 17th-century Japan.

In the comedy realm, Hacks, which tells the story of a 70-something comedian and her millennial writer, emerged as a surprise winner for Best Comedy Series. This upset was particularly notable as The Bear, a show about a Chicago restaurant, was heavily favored to take home the award. Nevertheless, The Bear managed to secure three out of four comedy acting Emmys, with stars Jeremy Allen White and Ebon Moss-Bachrach both taking home their second consecutive awards. White, who portrays Chef Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, delivered an emotional speech, reflecting on the personal and professional transformation the show brought to his life. Moss-Bachrach won for his role as Cousin Richie, a restaurant manager navigating family and career pressures.

The evening also brought a surprise victory for Baby Reindeer, a chilling Netflix limited series about a bartender being stalked by a customer, which was named Best Limited Series. Jean Smart, starring as the ambitious stand-up comedian Deborah Vance in Hacks, received her third Emmy for Best Actress in a Comedy, earning a standing ovation as she took to the stage. With her signature wit, Smart quipped, “I appreciate this because I just don’t get enough attention.”

In a surprising turn, Liza Colón-Zayas claimed the Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy award for her portrayal of Chef Tina Marrero in The Bear. Her win was unexpected, given the competition from acting legends Meryl Streep and Carol Burnett, both nominated in the same category.

The night also featured the father-and-son duo Eugene and Dan Levy, stars of Schitt’s Creek, as co-hosts of the awards show. Eugene Levy brought humor to the evening with his deadpan delivery, joking, “If things go south, my name is pronounced Martin Short,” referencing the star of Only Murders in the Building, who was present in the audience. Dan Levy also poked fun at the industry, calling the Emmys “broadcast TV’s biggest night for honoring movie stars on streaming services.”

The Emmy winners were chosen by the nearly 22,000 members of Hollywood’s Television Academy, representing a wide array of performers, producers, directors, and others involved in the television industry.