Shogun, the historical drama series based on the best-selling novel by James Clavell, has premiered on Hulu and FX with its first two episodes on February 27, 2024. The series, which follows the adventures of an English sailor who becomes a samurai in feudal Japan, has been praised by critics and viewers alike for its stunning visuals, authentic storytelling, and stellar performances. But will there be a Shogun season 2? Here is what we know so far.
Shogun Season 2: Is It Possible?
Shogun was conceived as a limited series that covers the entire story of the book, which spans over a thousand pages. The series consists of 10 episodes, each lasting about an hour, and ends exactly where the book ends. Co-creator and showrunner Justin Marks said in an interview with The Direct1 that he was excited about the surprising and ambiguous ending that Clavell wrote for the book, and that he wanted to honor that in the series. He also said that it took them five years to make the show, which is older than both of his children.
However, that does not mean that a Shogun season 2 is completely impossible. Co-creator and executive producer Rachel Kondo expressed her hope that the series would be a catalyst for audiences to encounter Japanese history in a new way, and that there is a lot of it to explore.
She quoted one of the lead actors, Cosmo Jarvis, who plays John Blackthorne, the English sailor who becomes a samurai, as saying that he hopes that the series would inspire a new curiosity for the Jidaigeki genre, which focuses on period dramas set in Japan. Marks agreed with him, and said that he would love to see more movies, TV shows, and video games in that space.
Executive producer Michaela Clavell, the daughter of the original author, was more optimistic about the possibility of a Shogun season 2. She said that the audience would let them know if there is an appetite for that, and that she wished she knew the complete answer, but she did not. She also praised the incredible research that Marks and Kondo did for the series, and the experts they hired from all over the world to give them the detail and accuracy that was necessary to do justice to the history of the time.
The cast of the series also shared their thoughts on a potential Shogun season 2. Jarvis said that the narrative substance of the book has been used up, and that the characters of the book are not related to the other books that Clavell wrote.
However, he also said that there is a vast expanse of history that is rife with dramatic potential, and that if FX wanted to do more storytelling in that timeframe, they could. Anna Sawai, who plays Toda Mariko, the female samurai who becomes Blackthorne’s love interest, agreed with him, and said that there are many stories that could be told in that era.
Tadanobu Asano, who plays Kashigi Yabushige, one of the powerful daimyos who are vying for the title of Shogun, said that he was not sure if there would be a Shogun season 2, but that he would be happy to be part of it if there was. He said that he enjoyed working on the series, and that he learned a lot from it. He also said that he was impressed by the quality and scale of the production, and that he felt like he was in a movie.
Hiroyuki Sanada, who plays Lord Yoshii Toranaga, the shrewd and charismatic leader who befriends Blackthorne and uses him as a pawn in his political game, said that he was very proud of the series, and that he hoped that it would be well received by the audience.
He said that he was a fan of the original novel and the 1980 miniseries, and that he felt honored to play the role of Toranaga, who is based on the historical figure of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate of Japan. He said that he tried to portray him as a human being, not as a hero or a villain, and that he wanted to show his complexity and charisma.
Shogun Season 2: When Could It Happen?
If there is a Shogun season 2, it is unlikely that it would happen anytime soon. As Marks said, it took them five years to make the first season, and that was a lot of work. They would need to find a new story, a new script, a new cast, and a new location to film the series. They would also need to get the approval of FX and Hulu, and the support of the fans. All of these factors would take time and money, and there is no guarantee that they would be successful.
However, if there is enough demand and interest from the audience, and if the creators and the cast are willing to return, then a Shogun season 2 could be possible in the future. It could be a continuation of the story of Blackthorne and Toranaga, or it could be a spin-off or a prequel that focuses on different characters and events in the same historical setting. It could also be an adaptation of another book by Clavell, such as Tai-Pan or King Rat, which are set in different countries and time periods, but are connected to Shogun by some characters and themes.
Shogun Season 2: How To Watch The First Season?
If you are interested in watching the first season of Shogun, you can do so on Hulu and FX. The first two episodes of the series were released on February 27, 2024, and the remaining eight episodes will be released weekly. The series is available in both English and Japanese, with subtitles for both languages. The series is rated TV-14 for violence, language, nudity, and sexual content.
Shogun is a historical drama series that tells the story of an English sailor who becomes a samurai in feudal Japan, and the power struggle between the daimyos who want to become the shogun, or the supreme military leader of the country. The series is based on the novel by James Clavell, which was a huge success and was already adapted into a 1980 miniseries.
The series has been praised for its stunning visuals, authentic storytelling, and stellar performances. But will there be a Shogun season 2? The creators and the cast of the series have shared their thoughts on the possibility of a second season, and the challenges and opportunities that it would entail. However, there is no official confirmation or announcement yet, and it is unlikely that it would happen anytime soon. For now, fans can enjoy the first season of Shogun, which is available on Hulu and FX.
