At this year's Emmy Awards, television's highest honors were marked by a celebration of diversity. The awards spotlighted a range of talented individuals and stories from the Latino, LGBTQ+, and Japanese communities, sending a strong message of inclusion.
Disney’s Shogun, a historical drama, took home the top prize for Best Drama Series. The show, which made Emmy history by winning the most awards for a single season of a television series, features a predominantly Japanese cast. Shogun also won 14 awards at the Creative Arts Emmys, a separate event that celebrates guest actors, cinematography, and production design. The series is notable for having Japanese as its primary spoken language, giving it an authentic cultural feel. Upon accepting the award for Best Drama, lead actor Hiroyuki Sanada delivered his speech in Japanese, thanking everyone for the support.
In addition to Shogun's success, Japanese actors Anna Sawai and Hiroyuki Sanada were honored with Best Actress and Best Actor awards for their roles in the series. Director Frederick E. O. Toye also won Best Director for a Drama Series for his work on Shogun.
Latino Talent Shines
Liza Colon-Zayas, who plays chef Tina Marrero in The Bear, made headlines when she won Best Supporting Actress. In doing so, she beat out legendary actresses like Meryl Streep and Carol Burnett. During her heartfelt acceptance speech, Colon-Zayas sent a powerful message to Latinas everywhere: "Keep believing and vote. Vote for your rights."
Actor and comedian John Leguizamo also addressed the lack of Latino representation in Hollywood throughout his career. Referring to himself as a "DEI hire" — a term that usually stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion — Leguizamo put his own twist on it, explaining that D stands for diligence, E for excellence, and I for imagination. He spoke about how, growing up, he rarely saw anyone on TV who looked like him. He emphasized the need for more stories from marginalized groups, including Black, Asian, Jewish, Arab, LGBTQ+, and disabled communities.
Mexican actor Diego Luna, who presented at the event, also made a statement by speaking in Spanish, reminding the audience that over 50 million people in the U.S. speak the language. His remarks underscored the importance of embracing linguistic diversity.
LGBTQ+ Representation Takes the Spotlight
Greg Berlanti, an influential producer and showrunner, received the prestigious Governors Award. This honor is given to individuals or organizations that have made a lasting impact on television. Berlanti is best known for being the first producer to show a gay kiss between two teenagers on prime-time television in the show Dawson’s Creek in 2000. Actor Joshua Jackson, who starred in the series, praised Berlanti for breaking barriers.
Berlanti, who has over 45 shows and a record 20 scripted series on air at the same time, gave a moving speech about his journey as a “closeted gay kid.” He expressed his gratitude to his late mother and his husband, Robbie Rogers, for their support. He recalled how, as a child, watching shows like Dynasty and Dallas helped him recognize others in the LGBTQ+ community. His speech earned a standing ovation from the audience.
The Emmy Awards also honored actor Jodie Foster, who won Best Actress in a Limited Series for her role in True Detective: Night Country. In her speech, Foster thanked her wife, Alexandra Hedison, for being by her side throughout her career.
Nava Mau, a Mexican transgender actor from the Netflix series Baby Reindeer, made history by being the first transgender woman nominated for Best Supporting Actress. This recognition follows in the footsteps of Laverne Cox, the first openly transgender actor to be nominated for an Emmy. Mau’s nomination highlights the Emmy Awards' continued commitment to acknowledging and uplifting transgender talent.
A Night of Progress
The Emmy Awards this year sent a clear message: Hollywood is making strides in embracing diversity and inclusion. From honoring Japanese actors and directors to celebrating Latino and LGBTQ+ talent, the night showcased the industry’s progress in telling stories that reflect the richness of our world. As John Leguizamo noted, the Emmy Awards are proof that the entertainment industry is slowly but surely moving towards more inclusive representation.