FX’s ‘Shogun’ Nears Season 2 Renewal As Star Hiroyuki Sanada Inks Deal To Return

FX’s acclaimed series Shogun might just break its ‘limited series’ mold as Hiroyuki Sanada is set to reprise his role as Lord Toranaga in a potential second season after inking a deal to return. This surprising twist comes after Shogun quickly became one of FX’s biggest streaming hits, pulling in 9 million views in just six days across platforms like Hulu and Disney+, and marking it as FX’s number-one premiere of all time.

Set in 1600s Japan, Shogun follows Lord Yoshii Toranaga as he navigates political turmoil and battles for power. The cast also features Cosmo Jarvis as John Blackthorne and Anna Sawai as Toda Mariko, under the creation of Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo. The series, based on James Clavell’s 1975 novel, was initially viewed as a one-and-done project, with its storyline encapsulating the entire book.

However, the overwhelming success has led to renewed talks of extending the series beyond its original scope. According to Deadline, Sanada’s new agreement to return is a pivotal step towards moving the show into a second season. While specifics of the deal are still under wraps, the potential continuation hinges significantly on his involvement.

“We took the story to the end of the book and put a period at the end of that sentence,” Justin Marks originally stated to The Hollywood Reporter, emphasising their intent to faithfully conclude the novel’s narrative in the first season. Yet, the finale of the series left room for continuation, focusing on the evolving dynamics between Toranaga and Blackthorne, hinting at future conflicts and alliances.

Transitioning from a limited series to a drama could change how Shogun is positioned at the Emmys, similar to past series like Downton Abbey and The White Lotus, adding another layer of strategic decision-making tied to Sanada’s return.

The success of Shogun has sparked discussions about the viability of further exploring the rich narrative landscape it presents. With the historical backdrop and complex character interactions established, a second season could delve deeper into the political and personal machinations within feudal Japan.

While FX has yet to confirm the continuation formally, the groundwork laid by the first season and the significant developments in contract negotiations suggest that Shogun may indeed return, potentially expanding into a broader series that continues to captivate and educate its audience on this intriguing period of Japanese history.