Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada claimed the Golden Globe for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series – Drama at the 2025 ceremony for his role as Lord Toranaga in FX's "Shōgun."
The 64-year-old actor made history as the second Asian actor to win in this category, following Lee Jung-jae's 2021 win for "Squid Game." Sanada triumphed over a strong field of nominees including Donald Glover, Jake Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Eddie Redmayne, and Billy Bob Thornton.
In his acceptance speech at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Sanada expressed gratitude to everyone who supported his journey. He concluded with an inspiring message for aspiring talents: "For the young actors and creators in the world, please be yourself, believe in yourself, and never give up."
This Golden Globe victory adds to Sanada's growing collection of accolades for his portrayal in "Shōgun." In 2024, he made history at the Emmy Awards as the first Japanese actor to win Best Actor in a Drama Series.
"Shōgun," which premiered in February 2024, has enjoyed remarkable success during the awards season. The series, where Sanada serves both as lead actor and producer, received multiple Golden Globe nominations, including nods for Best Television Series - Drama. His co-stars Tadanobu Asano and Anna Sawai were also recognized with nominations in their respective categories.
The historical drama, based on James Clavell's 1975 novel, features Sanada as Lord Toranaga, a masterful strategist in 17th century Japan. Following its ratings success on FX and Hulu, the series has been renewed for a second season, with production expected to begin later this year.