The Creative Arts Emmys, held on the second night of the two-night awards ceremony, witnessed the historical triumph of ‘Shogun.’ The FX series, based on the political machinations of feudal Japan, dominated the night, claiming 14 awards, smashing the previous record of 13 held by the 2008 limited series ‘John Adams.’ ‘Shogun’ secured wins in categories including costumes, makeup, editing, stunts, and cinematography, alongside a guest actor Emmy for Néstor Carbonell. The series missed out on only two of the 16 possible awards, leaving it poised for a potential record-breaking total at the main Primetime Emmys ceremony on September 15th.
Meanwhile, ‘The Bear’ emerged as a strong contender, taking home seven awards, including a coveted guest actress Emmy for Jamie Lee Curtis for her portrayal of the volatile Donna Berzatto. This win marks Curtis’s first Emmy, adding to her impressive resume which already boasts an Oscar for her role in ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once.’ “I’m the luckiest girl in the world,” Curtis remarked backstage. “I just never thought I would get to do work at this level of depth and complexity and intelligence. It’s been the thrill of my creative life these last couple of years.”
Beyond the spotlight on the dramas, songwriting duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul entered the prestigious EGOT club, becoming the 20th and 21st members after winning their first Emmy for their song in ‘Only Murders in the Building.’ They already possess an Oscar for ‘La La Land,’ a Grammy and a Tony for ‘Dear Evan Hansen,’ making them the newest additions to this exclusive group of artists.
The Creative Arts Emmys also saw triumphs for other notable talents. Maya Rudolph secured her sixth Emmy for her voice work on ‘Big Mouth.’ Angela Bassett received her first Emmy for narrating the National Geographic wildlife documentary series ‘Queens.’ Michaela Coel won best guest actress in a comedy series for her appearance on ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ The Creative Arts Emmys, while honoring categories not presented at the main ceremony, showcased exceptional talent and marked a night of unforgettable achievements in television.
