Emily Zemler
Updated on: October 11, 2024 12:01 pm GMT
As the 2024 Emmy Awards approach, excitement builds for FX’s highly acclaimed series “Shōgun,” which stands out among this year’s nominees. Hiroyuki Sanada, an Emmy-nominated actor and producer for the show, expressed eagerness to reunite with cast members, some of whom he hasn’t seen in two years.
Gold House Celebrates Multicultural Nominees
Sanada, along with co-star Anna Sawai and showrunners Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, attended the inaugural One House Toast to the Emmys hosted by Gold House, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing Asian Pacific representation in the media. Hosted in partnership with Macro and Nissan, the celebration took place at the Maybourne Hotel in Beverly Hills, honoring the diverse achievements across filmmaking for 2024.
The event highlighted a record year for Emmy nominations, particularly emphasizing inclusivity. Thirty actors of color received nominations across all categories. Among these were Lily Gladstone for “Under the Bridge” and Kali Reis for “True Detective: Night Country,” who made history as the first Indigenous women nominated for acting Emmys.
A Record-Breaking Year for “Shōgun”
“Shōgun” not only received significant nominations but also set a precedent at the Creative Arts Emmys, securing a record 14 wins. Kondo, present at the event, reflected on this achievement with genuine surprise. “We won in categories I didn’t think we’d win in,” she remarked.
The series has been instrumental in showcasing AAPI talent, contributing a majority of the Asian and Pacific Islander nominees this year. The narrative shift and visibility created by “Shōgun” demonstrate the evolving landscape of television, where stories increasingly represent the diversity of contemporary society.
Key Perspectives from the Event
At the One House Toast, actress Moeka Hoshi, known for her role as Usami Fuji in “Shōgun,” shared her sense of community at such gatherings. This marked her first Hollywood party, and she expressed her enthusiasm for celebrating the success of the show. “I’m always looking to see where ‘Shogun’ is,” Hoshi noted, reflecting on the competitive nature of award season.
Tiffany Chao, Vice President of Entertainment and Media at Gold House, emphasized the importance of representation in television. “It’s on TV that we’re seeing progress—the stories we watch are starting to reflect the diversity of our real world,” she stated during her opening remarks. Chao noted that the event featured over twenty Emmy nominees from various cultural backgrounds, underscoring a momentous shift in the industry.
Stacey Walker King, Chief Brand Officer of Macro, echoed this sentiment, recalling a time when celebrations of this nature were rare. “For anyone who played a part in that, we should be clapping for ourselves,” she said, reinforcing the collaborative efforts towards inclusivity in Hollywood.
Noteworthy Attendees and Their Reflections
The event attracted a range of notable figures, including actors Awkwafina and Sandra Oh from “Quiz Lady,” as well as writer Jen D’Angelo. Representatives from “What We Do in the Shadows” and “True Detective: Night Country” also graced the celebration.
Among the attendees was Richard Gadd from Netflix’s “Baby Reindeer,” who is still coming to terms with his Emmy nomination in the supporting actor category. “I just can’t believe I’m going to be in that room. It blows my mind,” he remarked, excited for the opportunity to meet industry veterans like Robert Downey Jr.
The Impact of Representation in Entertainment
The One House Toast represents a broader commitment to reshaping industry narratives and ensuring diverse voices are recognized on major platforms. Gold House’s initiatives over the past year have contributed to over 100 films and TV shows, including “Shōgun” and “Pachinko,” positioning them as crucial players in the conversation around multicultural representation in entertainment.
Chao’s remarks resonated with attendees, highlighting the significance of progress in the industry. “Just in this room, we have over twenty Emmy nominees from across the Asian, Indigenous, Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ communities,” she stated. This rich representation serves as both inspiration and recognition of the evolution occurring in Hollywood.
The show “Shōgun” and the mix of nominees at the One House Toast show that TV is changing for the better. As the Emmy Awards get closer, excitement is building around the series and its actors. This shows that people really care about celebrating different cultures in the arts.
