In an awards ceremony that delivered both surprises and expected results, the FX series Shogun dominated while comedies and limited series also had their moments in the spotlight. Shogun, a series set in feudal Japan, took home numerous top honors, including Best Drama Series and acting accolades. Hiroyuki Sanada made history as the first Japanese actor to receive this recognition, while his co-star Anna Sawai followed closely behind with another significant acting win, becoming the second Japanese actress to win in this category. Both expressed deep gratitude for their experiences working on the production. Meanwhile, a surprise win in the Best Comedy Series category left many in attendance astonished, as Hacks claimed the award over the widely expected favorite, The Bear. Despite The Bear winning multiple acting awards, the surprise comedy win was met with enthusiasm, and the show’s creators expressed their shock and delight.

Another notable moment came from Richard Gadd, who won Best Lead Actor and Best Writing for Netflix’s Baby Reindeer. Gadd emphasized the importance of taking risks and exploring challenging subjects in television. The series, dealing with dark and personal themes, claimed several major awards. Jodie Foster earned her first Emmy for Best Actress in a Limited Series for True Detective: Night Country, praising the collaboration with Inupiaq and Inuit contributors that informed her show’s narrative. The event also honored Greg Berlanti with the Television Academy’s Governors Award for his work in improving LGBTQ representation on television. As the night unfolded, streaming platforms continued their dominance, while traditional broadcast networks went without wins. The ceremony showcased the enduring power of storytelling across genres and formats.