Squid Game, the global television phenomenon, made history at the 2022 Primetime Emmy Awards with wins for outstanding lead actor in a drama series and outstanding directing for a drama series. Netflix took home 3 awards at the show, bringing the grand total to 26 Emmy wins for the season.
Squid Game star Lee Jung Jae
Squid Game star Lee Jung Jae won the Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for his portrayal of Seong Gi-hun. He’s the first Asian winner ever in the category, first native Korean winner and first ever for a non-English language series. In his acceptance speech, he thanked director Hwang Dong-hyuk for “making realistic problems we all face come to life.” He also paid homage to his Squid Game team and, in Korean, thanked everyone watching in Korea.
‘Squid Game’ director Hwang Dong-hyuk
Director Hwang Dong Hyuk won the award for outstanding directing for a drama series for Squid Game’s “Red Light, Green Light” episode. He’s the first Asian winner ever in the category, first native Korean winner and first ever for a non-English language series. In his acceptance speech, he said that following Squid Game’s 14 Emmy nominations, people kept telling him that he made history. “But I don’t think I made history by myself. It was you who opened up the doors for Squid Game by inviting us here tonight at the Emmys. We all made history together” He went on to say that he hopes Squid Game won’t be the last non-English series to be at the Emmys — and that this won’t be his last Emmy. “I’ll be back with Season 2.”
Ozark’s Julia Garner
Ozark’s Julia Garner won her third Emmy Award for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series for playing Ruth Langmore, winning every year she’s been nominated. Garner thanked Ozark showrunner Chris Mundy and “all the writers in the writers room” for writing Ruth, “she’s changed my life.” She also thanked co-stars Jason Bateman for “taking a chance on me” and Laura Linney for being “such a guiding light to me.”
