Anna Sawai Just Won an Emmy Award and Gave an Emotional Speech

Amazing news: Anna Sawai just won her very first Emmy for her performance as Toda Mariko on the hugely popular show Shōgun! Yep, the New Zealand-born actress just nabbed the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her *chef’s kiss* work, and not only is the feat a beautiful distinction, but it’s even more!!!! given Anna is now officially the first Japanese actress to win this Emmy category.

We’ll give you a moment to collect yourself before hitting you with her touching acceptance speech in 3...2...1...

“I was crying before my name was announced. I’m a mess today,” she joked before paying tribute to “the women who expect nothing and continue to be an example for everyone.”

Anna had some pretty iconic company in the category as a first-time nominee and won against Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show), Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age), Maya Erskine (Mr. & Mrs. Smith), Imelda Staunton (The Crown), and Reese Witherspoon (The Morning Show).

“I mean, I’m just so happy for the team. Like, everyone worked so hard, and I’m sure for every show everyone’s working hard. But I’m just really proud and happy,” Anna gushed last month during an appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers after hearing the news of the show’s 25 (!!!) Emmy nominations.

Oh, and P.S. can you believe that when it came to her category, Anna didn’t actually hear the nomination announcement herself?!?!? Yep, during that same convo with Seth Meyers, the actor revealed her manager called her in the middle of the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category, so she failed to hear her name being read.

“When they announced three people before me, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is not going to happen,’” she recalled. “And then when I’m thinking that, my manager calls, and I miss my name.”

Luckily, Anna sure heard her name being called tonight as the winner!

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