It was a night to remember for a number of television personnel, as the best of the small-screen came together to celebrate the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards.

As predicted, FX’s Shōgun dominated the drama categories by clinching four key wins, including the prestigious Outstanding Drama Series prize ahead of the likes of The Morning Show, Slow Horses and the final series of The Crown.

The historical Japanese drama also scored a crucial double for major cast members Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai as they became the first Japanese actors to win Emmys in the dramatic acting categories.

Sanada overcame British trio Idris Elba (Hijack), Gary Oldman (Slow Horses) and Dominic West (The Crown) to nab Lead Actor for his role as Japanese lord Yoshii Toranaga while Sawai saw off the likes of Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show) and Imelda Staunton (The Crown) to take home Lead Actress for her performance as translator Toda Mariko.

During their respective speeches, Sanada, who also produced the series, told the audience:

“We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all the crew, directors and masters who have inherited and supported our samurai period dramas up until now.

The passion and dreams that we have inherited from you have crossed oceans and borders. Thank you so much!”

Meanwhile, a teary-eyed Sawai said:

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

In addition to becoming the first non-English programme to bag Outstanding Drama Series, Shōgun also sets a record for the most Emmy wins in a single year with eighteen after sweeping its way to fourteen gongs during last weekend’s Creative Emmy Awards.

Despite a massive underperformance for its final series, Netflix’s The Crown did score a win for Australian star Elizabeth Debecki as she clinched Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Princess Diana. During her speech, she said:

“Playing this part based on this unparallelled, incredible human being has been my great privilege and it’s been a gift.”

Meanwhile, Billy Crudrup saw off co-stars Mark Duplass and Jon Hamm to land his second Supporting Actor Emmy for his reprised role as network CEO Cory Ellison in the latest series of Apple TV’s The Morning Show.

There was also a consolation win for fellow Apple series Slow Horses, as former The Thick of It star Will Smith took home the writing award for his work on the spy thriller.

Elsewhere, FX’s The Bear tasted further success in the comedy fields after its second series picked up four major awards, including three for its cast members.

Once again, central star Jeremy Allen White prevailed in the Lead Actor category for the second year in a row for his acclaimed performance as hot-tempered chef Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto while co-star Ebon Moss-Bachrach bagged his second successive Supporting Actor accolade for his reprised role as restaurant manager Richard “Richie” Jerimovich.

More surprisingly, co-star Liza Colón-Zayas produced one of the biggest shocks of the night by landing the Supporting Actress award for her role as line cook Tina Marrero, ahead of legendary names like Carol Burnett (Palm Royale) and Meryl Streep (Only Murders in the Building).

In an emotionally-charged speech, Colón-Zayas encouraged her fellow Latinas to keep believing and vote for their rights ahead of the upcoming presidential election.

Having already bagged seven prizes at the Creative Emmys, The Bear finished up with eleven wins in all, thus besting its own tally of gongs from last year.

However, HBO Max’s Hacks enjoyed the last laugh as the dark comedy edged out The Bear and other hit sitcoms like Abbott Elementary and Only Murders in the Building to win the Outstanding Comedy Series category.

Additionally, leading lady Jean Smart scored a third Emmy triumph in Lead Actress for her reprised role as veteran comedian Deborah Vance, while showrunners Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky celebrated their own success in the writing line-up.

Finally, the limited series categories produced an unforgettable night for Netflix’s Baby Reindeer as the fact-based miniseries secured four major prizes, including three for creator and star Richard Gadd.

The Scottish comedian-turned-actor was deservedly rewarded for his writing and producing on the controversial series, while also taking home Lead Actor for his acclaimed role as a fictionalised version of himself. His triumph in the latter category came at the expense of bigger names like Jon Hamm (Mad Men) and Welsh star Andrew Scott (Ripley).

While accepting his award for writing, Gadd said:

“Ten years ago, I was down and out.

I never ever thought I’d get my life together. I never ever thought I’d be able to rectify myself for what happened to me and get myself back on my feet again.

And then here I am, just over a decade later, picking up one of the biggest writing awards in television.

I don’t mean that to sound arrogant. I mean it as encouragement for anyone who’s going through a difficult time right now to persevere.”

Unsurprisingly, co-star Jessica Gunning eased her way to the Supporting Actress gong for her role as deranged stalker Martha Scott. The Yorkshire star said she was incredibly proud to be part of the series, while thanking Gadd for trusting her to play the role.

Elsewhere, Jodie Foster achieved Emmy success for the first time in her prestigious career by overcoming the likes of Brie Larson (Lessons in Chemistry) and Juno Temple (Fargo) to land the Lead Actress award for her performance as Detective Elizabeth Danvers in HBO’s True Detective: Night Country.

There was an upset in the Supporting Actor field as Lamorne Morris saw off the much-fancied Jonathan Bailey (Fellow Travelers) and Robert Downey Jr. (The Sympathizer) to win Supporting Actor for his role as State Trooper Whitley “Witt” Farr in the latest outing of FX’s Fargo.

Despite missing out on wins in Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series and Lead Actor, Netflix’s Ripley did earn a consolation win in the directing category for showrunner Steven Zallian.

As to be expected, a number of major programmes went home empty-handed from this year’s main ceremony including Abbott Elementary, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Fallout, Feud: Capote vs. the Swans, The Gilded Age, Lessons in Chemistry, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Only Murders in the Building, Palm Royale, and What We Do in the Shadows.

The full list of major Emmy winners are:

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
SHŌGUN

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Anna Sawai, SHŌGUN

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Hiroyuki Sanada, SHŌGUN

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Elizabeth Debicki, THE CROWN

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Billy Crudrup, THE MORNING SHOW

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
Frederick E. O. Toye, SHŌGUN

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
SLOW HORSES (Will Smith)

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
HACKS

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Jean Smart, HACKS

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Jeremy Allen White, THE BEAR

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Liza Colón-Zayas, THE BEAR

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Ebon Moss-Bachrach, THE BEAR

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
Christopher Storer, THE BEAR

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
HACKS (Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs & Jen Statsky)

OUTSTANDING LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES
BABY REINDEER

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
Jodie Foster, TRUE DETECTIVE: NIGHT COUNTRY

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
Richard Gadd, BABY REINDEER

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
Jessica Gunning, BABY REINDEER

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
Lamorne Morris, FARGO

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A LIMITED SERIES OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
Steven Zallian, RIPLEY

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A LIMITED SERIES OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
BABY REINDEER (Richard Gadd)

OUTSTANDING TALK SERIES
THE DAILY SHOW

OUTSTANDING REALITY COMPETITION PROGRAM
THE TRAITORS

Meanwhile, the full list of Emmy winners can be found in the following link: https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2024