‘Shōgun’ slays at SAG Awards
The historical epic won the top ensemble prize and acting honors for Anna Sawai and Hiroyuki Sanada
From left, Tommy Bastow, Hiroto Kanai, Anna Sawai, Hiroyuki Sanada, Moeka Hoshi, Shinnosuke Abe, and Tadanobu Asano.
Matt Sayles/Shutterstock for SAG
Words by Daniel Anderson
The 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards took place on Sunday, hosted by Kristen Bell, and continued the trend of recognizing standout performances across film and television, with Asian talent making a strong showing throughout the night.
The night belonged to Shōgun, which dominated the television categories. The FX historical epic won Best Drama Series Ensemble, while its stars claimed top acting honors—Anna Sawai won Best Actress in a Drama, and Hiroyuki Sanada took home Best Actor in a Drama, with co-star Tadanobu Asano also earning a nomination. Shōgun further asserted its dominance by winning Best Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in the TV category, in which The Boys, featuring Karen Fukuhara, was also nominated.
In his acceptance speech for Best Drama Series Ensemble, Sanada opened by remarking, “Thank you SAG Awards for recognizing us. This is so special because it’s from you guys.” He goes on to acknowledge all the people who took a chance on a series that is “70 percent Japanese and with subtitles,” but concluded, “acting is a universal language.”
On the film side, the Best Ensemble Cast category featured nominees such as Jon M. Chu’s Wicked, which led with five nominations, the Samantha Quan-produced Anora, which earned three, and A Complete Unknown, starring Eriko Hatsune. Ultimately, Conclave took home that category. Meanwhile, the Best Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble award went to The Fall Guy, edging out high-profile contenders including Deadpool & Wolverine, Wicked, and Dune: Part Two.
Other notable moments include Jane Fonda’s lifetime achievement award and her call out for empathy in a divisive political climate. “Make no mistake, empathy is not weak or woke, And, by the way, woke just means you give a damn about other people.”
Published on February 24, 2025
Words by Daniel Anderson
Daniel Anderson is a disabled Chinese American adoptee based in Seattle. His freelance writing specialties include K-pop, entertainment, and food. He believes that any restaurant can be a buffet, and the key to success is to take a nap each day. Follow his adventures on Instagram @danzstan.