LOS ÁNGELES (AP) — “Shogun” had historic victories for its epic first season of 18 Emmy awards and “Hacks” surprised by winning the best comedy award, in a gala full of surprising twists.
"Shogun," the FX series about power struggles in feudal Japan, won the award for best drama series for the first time, while Hiroyuki Sanada became the first Japanese actor to win an Emmy for a dramatic series for his leading role, and his co-star Anna Sawai became the second Japanese actress to triumph at the Emmys moments later when she won the award for best dramatic actress.
"Hacks" was the unexpected winner in the category of best comedy, as most were expecting "The Bear" after four big wins earlier in the night, and Jean Smart won her third award for best actress in a comedy for the third season of this series in which her comedic character Deborah Vance tries to succeed in late-night television.
The "consolation" prizes for "The Bear"
Along with the 14 awards it received at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards and a win for directing on Sunday night, "Shogun" had an unparalleled performance with a total of 18 awards during one season.
Despite losing the biggest comedy award of the night, which it had won for its first season at the previous ceremony held in January, on a date delayed by the Hollywood strikes, FX's "The Bear" had significant acting victories. Its star, Jeremy Allen White, won the award for best comedy actor for the second consecutive year, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach repeated as best supporting actor.
In turn, the creator of "The Bear," Christopher Storer, won his second consecutive Emmy for directing, an award presented by "Happy Days" co-stars Ron Howard and Henry Winkler.
A surprise came when Puerto Rican descent star Liza Colón-Zayas won the award for Best Supporting Actress in a competitive category for her role as Tina Marrero in "The Bear". The previous year, her co-star Ayo Edebiri had won in the same category. She is the first Latina to win in the category.
"To all the Latina women who are watching me," said Colón-Zayas, "keep believing and vote."
The dark and peculiar "Baby Reindeer" on Netflix achieved major wins in the limited series categories, including best actor and best script for the creator and star of the show, Richard Gadd, and best supporting actress for Jessica Gunning, who plays his stalker.
Jodie Foster won her first Emmy, which will add to her two Oscars, when she took home the award for Best Actress in a Limited Series for "True Detective: Night Country".
Elizabeth Debicki won the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for her portrayal of Princess Diana in the sixth and final season of "The Crown".
Billy Crudup won the award for best actor in a drama for "The Morning Show".
Who were the hosts of the Emmy Awards?
In their opening monologue, the hosting duo composed of Eugene and Dan Levy, who are father and son, mocked the fact that "The Bear," a series that is at times raw and violent, was in the comedy category. "In honor of 'The Bear,' we won't make jokes," Eugene Levy said, amidst laughter.
The night managed to meet many expectations, but it included several unexpected twists such as the victory of "Hacks" and a slow start for "Shogun", who did not win his first award until halfway through the ceremony.
Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal presented the award for best miniseries direction, speaking a little Spanish, and John Leguizamo gave a speech highlighting the importance of Latino representation on television and diversity on screen.