As the Emmy buzz intensifies for the cast and crew of FX and Hulu’s “Shōgun,” news has emerged in the Hollywood press about the series being extended for two more seasons.
Variety reports that these additional seasons are currently in the early stages of pre-production. While not yet an official renewal, this allows the production company to secure the necessary talent for producing and casting the show before they commit to other projects.
Hiroyuki Sanada has signed a deal to reprise his role as Lord Toranaga and will continue serving as a producer on the series. Co-creators, executive producers, and writers Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo, as well as executive producer Michaela Clavell representing the estate of James Clavell, are also returning.
The estate of James Clavell is joining to assist the writers’ room as they plan to expand the series beyond the text of the original novel. Since the original novel was based on historical events in Japan, it is likely that the upcoming seasons will continue to follow historical events.
Originally conceived as a 10-episode limited series, adding more seasons would enable the series to compete for awards in the more traditional television categories.
We are still waiting to find out if the production budget will be approved, but the writers are expected to report to the writers’ room in the next few weeks to start working on scripts.
The first season of Shōgun was FX’s most expensive series to date. It attracted 9 million views across Hulu, Disney+, and FX within the first six days of streaming, making it Disney’s number one general entertainment series.
About Shogun
FX’s “Shōgun,” an original adaptation of James Clavell’s bestselling novel, is set in Japan in the year 1600 at the dawn of a century-defining civil war. Producer Hiroyuki Sanada stars as Lord Yoshii Toranaga who is fighting for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him.
When a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village, its English pilot, John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), comes bearing secrets that could help Toranaga tip the scales of power and devastate the formidable influence of Blackthorne’s own enemies — the Jesuit priests and Portuguese merchants. Toranaga’s and Blackthorne’s fates become inextricably tied to their translator, Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai), a mysterious Christian noblewoman and the last of a disgraced line.
Are you watching Shōgun? If not, head on over to Hulu to get started today.