Emmys spotlight: Tadanobu Asano is devilishly good in ‘Shōgun’
“Shōgun,” the historical period drama from FX, could reap a slew of acting Emmy nominations for its extensive cast. Led by Hiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis, and Anna Sawai, the series follows several factions vying for control of the five Regents in end-of-the-16th century Japan alongside an English sailor (Jarvis) explores a new life after becoming shipwrecked there.
Tadanobu Asano is one of several key supporting players in the series, which was created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks who adapted James Clavell‘s 1975 novel of the same. Asano features as Kashigi Yabushige, who is the scheming lord of Izu. While he serves Sanada’s Lord Yoshii Toranaga, Yabushige is really out for his own gain. He is cunning, cruel, and clever yet always likable.
Critics have called Asano’s turn as Yabushige one of the highlights of the limited series.
Eric Francisco (Inverse) observed: “Tadanobu Asano, who got a serious short end of the stick in the ‘Thor’ movies, shines as the brash samurai lord Yabushige, risking his head in playing both sides of a bubbling civil war.”
Kristen Baldwin (Entertainment Weekly) noted: “Even in a cast full of standouts, Tadanobu Asano is remarkable as the scheming Yabushige, a wily and slightly unhinged mercenary who deftly plays Toranaga against Ishido in his quest for security and power.”
Ben Travers (Indie Wire) says: “Kashigi Yabushige (Tadanobu Asano) wins us over in spite of his traitorous both sides-ism with a nuanced repertoire of appreciable grunts and exclamations. (Among many great performances, Asano may deliver the richest, most satisfying turn.)”
Our current predicted nominees for are Robert Downey Jr. (“The Sympathizer”), Lewis Pullman (“Lessons in Chemistry”), Jonathan Bailey (“Fellow Travelers”), John Hawkes (“True Detective: Night Country”), Joe Keery (“Fargo”), Hugh Grant (“The Regime”), and Treat Williams (“Feud: Capote vs the Swans”).
This critical support could land Asano his first Emmy nomination, Best TV Movie/Limited Series Supporting Actor. His co-star Takehiro Hira is also vying for a bid in this race. But that shouldn’t hurt either of their chances as Emmy voters are more than happy to nominate two or more actors from the same show in the same category. For the past 12 years, there has been at least one show every year that earns nominations in this category for two or more of its actors.
Recent examples in this race include the aforementioned duos of Mazino/Lee and Lacy/Zahn as well as the likes of Paul Walter Hauser and Ray Liotta (“Black Bird”) and Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Groff, and Anthony Ramos (“Hamilton”).
Asano’s character is often villainous. The actor plays both sides, much like Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in “Game of Thrones.” Coster-Waldau earned a supporting citation for the role of Jaime Lannister. This darkness is something that often attracts Emmy voters in this category, too, however, with recent such nominees including Murray Bartlett (“Welcome to Chippendales”), Jonathan Groff (“Hamilton”), David Thewlis (“Fargo”), Alexander Skarsgård (“Big Little Lies”), and Finn Wittrock (“American Horror Story: Freak Show”).
We are expecting “Shōgun” to be a major Emmys player this year. We are predicting it will be nominated for Best Drama Series, Best TV Movie/Limited Series Actor for Sanada, Best TV Movie/Limited Series Actress for Sawai, as well as plenty of below-the-line citations. Plus, Jarvis, Asano, Hira, and supporting actresses Moeka Hoshi and Fuki Nikaido could all earn nominations. It would make sense, then, for at least one or two supporting actors to be taken along for the ride with this powerhouse Emmys contender. This has happened plenty of times before in this category: Mazino and Lee (“Beef”), Walter Hauser and Liotta (“Black Bird”), Lacy and Zahn (“The White Lotus”), and Jovan Adepo and Louis Gossett Jr. (“Watchmen”).
What also helps Asano here is that a lot of American viewers and voters will recognize him. He played Hogun in Marvel’s “Thor” movies, making him an MCU alum, while he also appeared in Martin Scorsese‘s “Silence” and the likes of “47 Ronin,” “Battleship,” and “Mortal Kombat.” All of these credits will make him a familiar face to voters and that will help his case for a nomination. Voters may decide to reward someone they’ve seen plenty of times onscreen but who is now getting the chance to display he full range of his talents.
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