In an upset, Sandra Oh's costar wins acting award

Actor Jodie Comer seeks out her 'Killing Eve' costar Sandra Oh during the Emmy awards.

The coveted Emmy continues to elude Sandra Oh.

Oh's Killing Eve costar Jodie Comer won the Best Lead Actress in a Drama Sseries at Sunday's Emmy Awards show.

Oh has been nominated nine times for an Emmy but has never won. She was nominated twice for Killing Eve and five straight years for her portrayal of Dr. Christina Yang on Grey's Anatomy. This year, she was also nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her stint as a Saturday Night Live host. Her nine nominations has won her the dubious title of being the most nominated Asian American for the television's prestigious trophy.

Besides Oh, Comer also beat a bevy of heavyweight actresses, including: Emilia Clarke (“Game of Thrones”), Laura Linney (“Ozark”), Mandy Moore (“This Is Us”), Robin Wright (“House of Cards”), and Viola Davis (“How to Get Away With Murder”).

"I just didn't expect it," she admitted after the show. "The women in that category are so phenomenal, and I felt very lucky to be there and be here."

Oh was widely expected to win the category after winning the Golden Globes and SAG awards in the same category. When Comer's name was announced, it caught her completely by surprise. The first thing she did was to go to Oh and embrace her. 

"I think I said I loved her and I appreciated her," Comer told ET's Kevin Frazier backstage, revealing what she whispered to Oh on her way to the stage. "Because honestly, this whole experience we've gone through together."

In accepting the award, Comer paid tribute to her costar. “It’s safe to say, Sandra, that this ‘Killing Eve’ journey has been an absolute whirlwind and I feel so lucky to have shared the whole experience with you,”

Oh was also nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her stint as a Saturday Night Live host. Jane Lynch won for her role in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

If Oh had won she would have been the first Asian American woman to win Best Lead Actress. 

Archie Panjabi became the first actor of Asian descent to win an acting Emmy (The Good Wife) -- for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2010. In 2017, Riz Ahmed  became the only Asian actor, male or female, to win a lead Emmy category.n acting prize for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for The Night Of.

The only other Asian American nominee was Maya Erskine . who with cowriter Anna Konkle,for Best Writer for a Comedy Series for their work in Hulu's PEN15. That category was won by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, for her writing for  took Fleabag..

While Asian Americans were shut out of the awards, Lilly Singh, Ken Jeong and Randall Park appeared on stage to introduce the nominees and winners in several categories.

Compared to past years, AAPI actors appear more plentiful in ead and supporting roles on television but none of them have translated to acting recognition. 

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