‘Shōgun’ star Hiroyuki Sanada on the Emmy record and why the show was a ‘gamble’ (exclusive)

Shogun Producer and star Hiroyuki Sanada still can’t believe the show’s success.

The Japanese historical drama has already won 14 Emmys at the Creative Arts Emmys – the most for a single season of any series and that before the main Emmy Awards ceremony on September 15th. Shogun broke the record previously set by the 2008 limited series John Adams‘ 13 wins.

On Sunday’s broadcast, Sanada is vying for two more awards: outstanding lead actor in a drama series for his role as Lord Yoshii Toranaga and outstanding producer of a drama series.

“I’m so happy to be nominated,” Sanada, 63, told PEOPLE exclusively at Gold House and Macro’s One House Toast to the Emmys event on Thursday, September 12. “The crew has already received the award. This is incredible. This is a lot. Just to be nominated for an Emmy – I’m so happy.”

If Sanada wins the acting award, he will be the first actor of Japanese descent to win in the category, and only the second Asian actor ever, after Lee Jung-jae’s win for Squid Game in 2022.

“I never imagined that something like this would happen during filming,” said the producer/actor. “For me, it was a gamble.”

“Because the show is 70 percent Japanese dialogue and then subtitles,” Sanada explained. “Can people enjoy a story set in 17th century feudal Japan? But surprisingly, we got a great response. And also this nomination. So it’s like I’m in a dream of all dreams.”

On Sunday, Shogun is also a contender in the following drama categories: Outstanding Actress, Outstanding Supporting Actor, Outstanding Directing, and Outstanding Screenplay.

The FX series has already been renewed for two more seasons and Sanada revealed where his character, who is based on the real Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, will go.

“We have real history, so we know what happens (to Toranaga),” he said. “We know what he does and how he dies. I would like to show his life – what he did to Japan and how he created a peaceful era after the war. That’s an important message for me.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

But there could also be unexpected twists and turns when watching future seasons of Shogun goes beyond the original, the novel of the same name by James Clavell from 1975.

“We have great writers and no more novels, so they have freedom,” Sanada said of the creative team. “A mix of creation and real story. Of course, it’s international entertainment, so let’s see how we can create an original script and share it with the world.”

The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by Dan Levy and Eugene Levy, will air live on ABC on Sunday, September 15, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Come back to PEOPLE for complete Emmy Awards coverage, and don’t miss PEOPLE and Entertainment Weekly’s live Red Carpet show beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.