A week of triumph: Anna Sawai’s historic Emmy win and her journey in ‘Pachinko’

A groundbreaking victory

Anna Sawai’s week has been nothing short of extraordinary. The New Zealand-born actress made history by becoming the first actor of Asian descent to win an Emmy for lead actress in a drama, thanks to her role as Toda Mariko in FX’s Shōgun. This accolade is part of a record-breaking 18 total trophies for the drama’s first season.

Balancing accolades and work

Despite the euphoria of her Emmy win, Sawai had little time to bask in the glory. She quickly returned to work in Australia, where she is filming Season 2 of the Apple TV+ series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. In this series, she stars as Cate Randa, sharing the screen with none other than Godzilla.

Diving into ‘Pachinko’

Today, however, our focus is on Sawai’s role in Pachinko, a period drama created by Soo Hugh, currently airing its second season on Apple TV+. Set in the 1980s, Sawai portrays Naomi Ichizaki, an ambitious businesswoman entangled in a complex relationship with her colleague Solomon Baek, played by Jin Ha. This week’s episode sees their romance face significant challenges.

Reflecting on the Emmy win

The surreal experience

When asked about her feelings post-Emmy win, Sawai describes the experience as surreal. “I don’t think I’ll ever get over the fact that our show made history,” she says. The journey from shooting the series to winning the award was unexpected and overwhelming for her.

Emotional moments

Sawai is known for her emotional nature, which was evident even before her name was called at the Emmys. “I get very emotional, but I wasn’t crying because I felt like it was going to happen,” she explains. Meeting Kathy Bates and receiving a compliment from her was one of the many moments that brought her to tears.

Celebrating the win

Post-award celebrations saw Sawai carrying her Emmy statue to every party she attended. “For every party that I went to, I was holding it,” she recalls, noting that her team encouraged her to do so. The FX party was where she spent the most time, celebrating with her colleagues.

The journey through awards season

Building connections

The awards campaign allowed Sawai to bond with fellow actors like Nava Mau from Baby Reindeer and Ayo Edebiri. These interactions provided her with valuable advice and a sense of camaraderie.

Choosing impactful roles

Sawai’s roles in Shōgun, Pachinko, and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters are significant, not just for their scale but for their cultural impact. “What I love is that they’re all so different, but also they’re so important to me because they allow the audience to see Asian people in a different light,” she says.

Naomi Ichizaki: A character born for the series

A unique addition

Naomi Ichizaki is a character created specifically for the Pachinko series, highlighting the struggles of Japanese women in the business world during the 1980s. This role has given Sawai a deeper understanding of her mother’s experiences in a male-dominated industry.

The complex relationship with Solomon

Naomi’s relationship with Solomon is crucial yet fraught with challenges. “He is the only male figure to her that understands where she’s coming from,” Sawai explains. However, their differing goals and family pressures create a rift between them.

Professional and personal turmoil

The business world is particularly harsh on women, a theme explored through Naomi’s character. “Women have to be twice as good as men to be in the same position,” Sawai notes. This societal unfairness is a significant aspect of Naomi’s journey.

The stylish world of ‘Pachinko’

Costume design

The costumes in Pachinko, designed by Kyunghwa Chae, are a visual treat. Naomi’s wardrobe, featuring professional outfits and Chanel suits, reflects her personality and professional demeanor. “We didn’t want her to be the typical eye-candy figure to the men,” Sawai explains.

The iconic opening credits

The opening credits sequence of Pachinko is a fan favorite, and Sawai enjoyed being part of it in the second season. “It was nice to be on set and allow myself to just have fun with everyone,” she says.

Looking ahead

Future plans

Sawai is still deciding where to place her Emmy statue at home, balancing her time between Tokyo and the States. She also hints at a possible return to her singing roots, though she admits to needing a confidence boost to take on such roles.

Dream roles

While the idea of starring in a remake of A Star Is Born seems daunting, Sawai remains open to exploring musical films in the future.

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