Golden Globes Spotlight: 'Shogun' and 'Hacks' Shine with Top Honors

The Golden Globes Awards ceremony on Sunday brought recognition to standout television productions, with Shogun, an FX historical drama set in imperial Japan, securing the award for Best Drama Television Series. Meanwhile, the Max series Hacks, centered around the life of a female stand-up comedian, claimed the prize for Best Comedy.

Golden Globes Spotlight: 'Shogun' and 'Hacks' Shine with Top Honors
Golden Globes Spotlight: 'Shogun' and 'Hacks' Shine with Top Honors

The Golden Globes Awards ceremony on Sunday brought recognition to standout television productions, with Shogun, an FX historical drama set in imperial Japan, securing the award for Best Drama Television Series. Meanwhile, the Max series Hacks, centered around the life of a female stand-up comedian, claimed the prize for Best Comedy.

Shogun, a tale rich in political intrigue, also earned acting awards for its leads, Anna Sawai and Hiroyuki Sanada, both first-time winners at the Golden Globes. In his acceptance speech, Sanada expressed gratitude to those who supported him, stating, "Thank you for everyone that has been in my life. All of you have brought me here." He also addressed aspiring actors and creators, encouraging them to "believe in yourself and never give up."

2025 Golden Globe Awards Winners

Film Categories

  • Best Film (Drama): The Brutalist
  • Best Film (Musical or Comedy): Emilia Perez
  • Best Director: Brady Corbet (The Brutalist)
  • Best Screenplay: Peter Straughan (Conclave)
  • Best Non-English Language Film: Emilia Perez
  • Best Actor (Drama): Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
  • Best Actress (Drama): Fernanda Torres (I'm Still Here)
  • Best Actor (Musical or Comedy): Sebastian Stan (A Different Man)
  • Best Actress (Musical or Comedy): Demi Moore (The Substance)
  • Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
  • Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldana (Emilia Perez)
  • Best Original Film Score: Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross (Challengers)
  • Best Animated Feature: Flow
  • Box Office and Cinematic Achievement: Wicked
  • Best Original Song: El Mal (Emilia Perez)

Television Categories

  • Best Series (Musical or Comedy): Hacks
  • Best Series (Drama): Shogun
  • Best Limited Series or TV Movie: Baby Reindeer
  • Best Actor (Drama): Hiroyuki Sanada (Shogun)
  • Best Actress (Drama): Anna Sawai (Shogun)
  • Best Actor (Musical or Comedy): Jeremy Allen White (The Bear)
  • Best Actress (Musical or Comedy): Jean Smart (Hacks)
  • Best Supporting Actor: Tadanobu Asano (Shogun)
  • Best Supporting Actress: Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer)
  • Best Actor (Limited Series/TV Movie): Colin Farrell (The Penguin)
  • Best Actress (Limited Series/TV Movie): Jodie Foster (True Detective: Night Country)

Other

  • Best Female Performance (Stand-Up or Comedy): Ali Wong (Single Lady)

The drama did not stop there, as Tadanobu Asano won Best Supporting Male Actor for his role as Kashigi Yabushige, the Lord of Izu. In total, the series walked away with four awards, further solidifying its place as a major success. The plot of Shogun revolves around Lord Yoshii Toranaga, played by Sanada, as he uncovers secrets that may help him overcome his adversaries.

On the comedy front, Hacks celebrated a double win. The series’ lead actress, Jean Smart, was honored with the award for Best Female Actor in a Comedy for her portrayal of Deborah Vance, a stand-up comedian navigating her career and personal challenges. In her acceptance speech, Smart remarked, "I never thought I'd be so happy to be called a hack."

Among the night’s other highlights was Netflix’s Baby Reindeer, which won Best Limited Series or Anthology. The series explores themes of obsession and vulnerability, with Richard Gadd delivering a gripping performance as stalker victim Donny Dunn. While accepting the award, Gadd commented, "People were crying out for something that kind of spoke to the kind of painful inconsistencies of being human." Jessica Gunning, who plays stalker Martha Scott in the same series, took home the award for Best Female Supporting Actor.

The category of Best Male Actor in a Limited Series or Anthology was claimed by Colin Farrell for his role as the villain Oswald Cobb in the Max production The Penguin.

This year’s awards also marked a new chapter for the Golden Globes. In 2023, Eldridge Industries acquired the organization’s assets, leading to the closure of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Previously criticized for lacking diversity and facing ethical controversies, the revamped awards now boast a membership of 300 journalists from 75 countries, with 60% racial and ethnic diversity under the new ownership.

The changes reflect a broader commitment to inclusivity, as the Golden Globes aim to honor the best in entertainment while addressing past criticisms. This year’s winners, from Shogun to Hacks, demonstrate the evolving landscape of storytelling and the talent driving these narratives forward.