Anna Sawai has become one of the best characters in the highly celebrated series Shōgun but she has also starred in another critically acclaimed show.

(Anna-Sawai-as-Toda-Mariko)-from-Shôgun

Anna Sawai’s incredible performance as Lady Mariko in Shōgun is a highlight of her impressive acting career. Sawai, 31, made her film debut in a small role in 2009’s Ninja Assassin before starring in the 2019 miniseries Giri/Haji. Before taking on a major role in Shōgun’s cast, which is already being called one of the greatest limited series of 2024, Sawai rose to prominence from her role as Elle in F9: The Fast Saga (2021). Since then, Sawai has solidified herself as a remarkably skilled and talented actor in both film and television.

Sawai’s Lady Mariko is one of the most beloved characters in Shōgun who rises to the occasion in an explosive Shōgun episode 9. With only one episode remaining in Shōgun, fans of Sawai will be able to watch her in several other projects that she has appeared in over the last few years, including a critically acclaimed Apple TV original drama series. Sawai currently does not have any upcoming projects that are officially announced, but that is sure to change sometime in the near future.

After Shogun, It’s Worth Watching Anna Sawai In Apple TV+’s Pachinko

Pachinko has a celebrated cast & outstanding reviews

The series was based on a bestselling novel written by Min Jin Lee and earned an incredible score of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes upon its 2022 release.

Sawai has previously starred in another recent critically acclaimed television series called Pachinko. The series was based on a bestselling novel written by Min Jin Lee and earned an incredible score of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes upon its 2022 release. Sawai plays Noami in Pachinko, which also features performances by the celebrated Korean actor Lee Min-ho, Soji Arai (Tokyo Vioce, Cobra Kai), Youn Yuh-jung (Minari), and Jin Ha, who recently played a Sniper in Alex Garland’s A24 film Civil War.

Pachinko is a comprehensive saga that chronicles the hopes and dreams of an immigrant family from Korea across four separate generations. Like Shōgun, Pachinko has been described as having epic storytelling, breathtaking cinematography, and outstanding performances. Fans who enjoyed the intricate scene compositions and character dynamics in Shōgun will surely find plenty of similar characteristics in Pachinko, which was created for television by Soo Hugh (The Killing, See).

Anna Sawai’s Other Notable Movie & TV Show Roles

Sawai recently starred in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters

Anna Sawai holding a sword as Mariko in Shogun episode 9 Anna Sawai as Cate Randa standing on a bus looking worried in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters episode 5. Anna Sawai kneeling in a council meeting as Mariko in Shōgun episode 9 Anna Sawai as Ell in a scene from F9.
Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe and Anna Sawai standing next to each other in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Anna Sawai as Cate looking up at Godzilla in the rain in a flashback in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters

Following her outstanding roles in Pachinko and Shōgun , Sawai is supposed to continue her impressive run in prestige television series moving forward.

Despite having a relatively short acting career thus far, Sawai has already had some major roles in massive films and television shows. While Shōgun arguably offers the best performance at this point in her growing career, Sawai was also great in F9: The Fast Saga (2021) and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (2023-2024). Following her outstanding roles in Pachinko and Shōgun, Sawai is supposed to continue her impressive run in prestige television series moving forward.

Film/TV Show
Anna Sawai’s Role

Shōgun (2024)
Lady Mariko

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (2023-2024)
Cate Randa

Pachinko (2022)
Naomi

F9: The Fast Saga (2021)
Elle