2018 Emmys: Sandra Oh is the first Asian woman nominated for lead actress in drama category

Credit: BBC America via AP

Credit: BBC America via AP

Sandra Oh’s nomination at the 2018 Primetime Emmys makes her the first Asian woman nominated in a lead actress drama category.

Variety reported that Oh, who stars in the critically acclaimed BBC America thriller "Killing Eve," is nominated for lead actress in a drama series. She is the first actress of Asian descent to be nominated in the category. She is Korean Canadian.

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Oh is familiar to most for playing Dr. Cristina Yang on the ABC medical drama "Grey's Anatomy." ET reported that she was nominated five times in a row from 2005 to 2009 in the supporting actress category for the role.

Related: 2018 Emmys nominations: ‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘Westworld,’ ‘The Handmaids Tale’ lead nods

On her new show, Oh plays MI-5 officer Eve Polastri. The series’ director, BAFTA winning Jon East, said the nomination was “totally deserved.”

"(Sandra Oh) is one of the most talented individuals whom it has been my pleasure and privilege to direct," East tweeted Thursday. "Working with her on 'Killing Eve' was very rewarding and I couldn't have been more delighted with her nuanced and compelling performance.

 

Oh shared her reaction to the nomination by tweeting a photo of herself with her American-Taiwanese actress Michelle Krusiec.

The 2018 Emmys air Sept. 17.

Related video: Top 2018 Emmy Nominations

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