When Shōgun was released early this year as a miniseries, no one predicted that it would become the sensation it is today. Glowing critical reviews helped to send viewership figures skyrocketing, and an Emmy win for Outstanding Drama Series inspired producers to greenlight another season. We’ve covered all the news and speculation about the series in this guide.
Historical Fiction Continues to Captivate Fans
Since Game of Thrones ended in 2019, TV executives have been trying to replicate its success with another series. Inspired by intriguing historical events, the series became a cultural phenomenon around the world. With Shōgun’s surprise success, a new era of historical fiction is dawning on TV.
The entertainment industry has always mined history to tell fresh stories. Epic films such as Spartacus and Gladiator have become blockbuster hits, while The Chosen is viewed by over 200 million people worldwide. In digital entertainment, Release the Kraken Megaways has a historical pirate theme, with immersive visuals used in conjunction with diverse payout structures to appeal to players. The appeal of Shōgun lies in its similar ability to realistically capture an intriguing moment in history.
Shōgun Series 2: What We Know
In a September interview with Deadline News, the head of TV network FX, John Landgraf, confirmed that it is moving forward with season 2. While the first season was shot in Canada, Landgraf stated his desire to shoot the next season in Japan. However, the scale of the production makes this complicated due to the limited size of the film industry in Japan.
As for when the series would air, there is no news. At this point, the season is still being written, so it likely won’t begin production until Summer 2025. Considering the volume of special effects required, a 2026 air date is most likely.
Regarding a third season, this is still being discussed. “I don’t know that we’re certain there will be three seasons,” says Landgraf. “But… it still feels to us like three is the right number of seasons to really do it justice.”
Returning Cast and Crew
According to Variety Entertainment, much of the same creative team will return for the second series. This will include co-creators and writers Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo and producer and star Hiroyuki Sanada, who played Lord Yoshii Toranaga. Sanada was the recipient of the Best Lead Actor award at the 2024 Emmys.
With the series set to pick up after the events of Series 1, Cosmo Jarvis is expected to return to the role of John Blackthorne. Many of the first season’s regular cast perished by the season finale, so a new story would need to involve a new roster of talent. The creators are working with the estate of James Clavell, whose 1975 novel served as the inspiration for the series.
Shōgun: A Modern-Day Phenomenon
As FX’s most expensive production, the first season of Shōgun was an international hit with critics and fans. Although a new season won’t be released until at least 2026, we eagerly await more details about the next installment of the historical epic.
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