‘Shogun,’ ‘The Bear’ dominate at Emmys in record-setting style

Ilona Mahler, from left, Brendan Hunt, Caeleb Dressel, Ezra Frech, and Jane Lynch present the award for outstanding directing for a drama series to Frederick E.O. Toye, center, for “Shogun” during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

LOS ANGELES – “Shogun,” FX’s tale of 17th century Japan based on James Clavell’s novel, and the network’s restaurant-industry comedy “The Bear” both had record-setting nights at the 76th Emmy Awards Sunday night, but while “Shogun” took the prize for best drama series, “The Bear” lost in the comedy series category to HBO’s “Hacks.”

“Shogun” and “The Bear” were the top nominees heading into Emmy season, with “Shogun” collecting 25 overall nominations, and “The Bear” earning 23, the most ever received by a comedy series in a single season (besting the 2009 mark of 22 set by NBC’s “30 Rock”).

During Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremonies held last weekend, when the bulk of the Emmy honors were presented, “Shogun” collected a record-shattering 14 awards, besting the mark for a drama series (12) set by “Game of Thrones” in 2019, and the record for any program in a single year set in 2008 by the miniseries “John Adams,” which won 13.

But “Shogun” padded its win total Sunday night at the Peacock Theater, collecting four additional wins — best drama series, best drama actor for Hiroyuki Sanada, drama actress for Anna Sawai and best drama series director for Frederick E.O. Toye.

“I’m beyond honored to be here with (these) amazing nominees,” Sanada said as he accepted the best drama actor award. “Thank you for FX, Disney and Hulu for believing in me. Thank you my team for always supporting me. And thank you for all the crew and cast of `Shogun.’ I’m so proud of you.

It was an East-meets-West drama project, with respect, and `Shogun’ taught me that when people work together, we can make miracles. We can create a better future together. Thank you so much.”

Accepting her best drama actress award, Sawai said, “I was crying before my name was announced. I’m a mess today.”

She thanked “every single one of the crew and cast,” and gave special thanks to her family, saying, “Mom, I love you. You are the reason I’m here.”

Tadanobu Asano had been considered a favorite for supporting actor in a drama series for “Shogun,” but lost out to Billy Crudup of “The Morning Show.” Elizabeth Debicki was named best supporting actress in a drama series for “The Crown.”

On the comedy side of the awards, “The Bear” also collected four awards Sunday, adding to the seven it had already won during the Creative Arts ceremonies. That was enough to surpass the comedy-series single-year record of nine set by “Schitt’s Creek” in 2020.

But “The Bear” lost out on its bid to repeat its 2023 win for outstanding comedy series, a prize that went instead to HBO’s “Hacks.”

Jen Statsky, center left, Paul W. Downs, center, Lucia Aniello, center right, and the team from “Hacks” accept the award for outstanding comedy series during the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Jeremy Allen White of “The Bear” repeated as outstanding lead actor in a comedy series. The show also won Emmys for best supporting actor for Ebon Moss-Bachrach, supporting actress for Liza Colón-Zayas and directing for Christopher Storer.

The only comedy acting award that didn’t go to “The Bear” was best actress, which went to Jean Smart of “Hacks.”

Netflix’s “Baby Reindeer” won the Emmy for outstanding limited or anthology series. The series also won for outstanding lead actor for Richard Gadd, who also won for writing, and supporting actress for Jessica Gunning.

Jodie Foster won her first career Emmy award, winning for lead actress in a limited or anthology series for “True Detective: Night Country.”

Lamorene Morris was named best supporting actor in a limited or anthology series or movie for “Fargo.”

The father-son duo of Eugene and Daniel Levy hosted the 76th Emmy Awards ceremony at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles. The show will be broadcast on ABC.

Under unusual circumstances, this was the second Emmy Awards ceremony held this year. The 2023 Emmy telecast was delayed due to last year’s dual strikes by Hollywood writers and actors. The event was held on Jan. 15, 2024.

Of last year’s eight nominees in the outstanding drama series category, only “The Crown” was eligible to be among this year’s eight nominees. The Netflix drama about the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II was nominated for the sixth time in its six-season run. Its final six episodes were released Dec. 14.

Meanwhile, only three of last year’s eight outstanding comedy series nominees were eligible for this year’s eight nominations — last year’s winner, “The Bear,” ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” and Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building.”

HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” has been nominated 11 times in the category during its intermittent 12-season run that began in 2000. The only time it failed to be nominated was during its first season. (CNS)