He is undoubtedly one of Shogun’s discoveries. In the new Disney+ flagship series, Anna Sawai lends her personality to Lady Mariko, a translator who serves as a liaison between English sailor John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) and Lord Yoshi Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada). From a simple interpreter, the latter nevertheless played a major role in the political conflict that broke out with other regent clans.
This lead role sees the 31-year-old actress succeed Yoko Shimada, who played Mariko in the first adaptation in 1980. The latter also became the first Asian actor to win a Golden Globe for Best Actor in 1981, though the rest. His career was more private.
Another career in J-pop
Anna Sawai of Japanese origin was born in New Zealand. He grew up between Hong Kong and the Philippines before his parents settled permanently in Japan. At the age of 11, she made her stage debut in the lead role of the musical Annie. Two years later, the young aspiring artist signed a contract with the record label Avex Inc., which allowed him to train in singing, dancing and acting.
After appearing in James McTeague’s film Ninja Assassin, Anna Savai joined the J-pop group ARA in 2012. Their only single, “Make My Dreams Come True”, failed to provoke hysteria, the girls broke up. Anna enjoyed success from 2013 to 2018 with Faky. The group has released many singles, music videos and albums to the delight of the fan community.
Now preferring to devote herself to her acting career, Anna Sawai in 2019 became the daughter of a yakuza boss in the British TV series Giri/Haji, and then a martial arts fan in the ninth installment of the famous Fast franchise. & Furious. Despite the film’s mixed success, the young woman rose to prominence internationally, alongside such regulars as Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster.
A new TV star was born!
With that great momentum, the actor joined Apple TV+: first with a recurring role on Pachinko, a drama about a Korean immigrant family, and then on Monarch: Legacy of the Monsters.
In this series, which takes place a few years after the events of Godzilla (2014), he gives his features to the heroine, Kate Randa, who investigates the connections between her missing father and a secret organization that controls giant monsters known as “Titans”. “.
Nothing can stop Anna Savai. Disney+ is offering her the female lead role in a 2024 remake of Shogun, a miniseries set in feudal Japan. Critics praised the young woman’s nuanced performance. The show’s success in many countries brought it into the limelight.
Episodes of Shogun can be seen every Tuesday exclusively on Disney+.
Discover the list of series currently available on the platform!
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
