Vancouver, Canada — FX’s acclaimed series “Shōgun” is set to commence production on its much-anticipated second season in January. Cosmo Jarvis will reprise his role as the English pilot John Blackthorne, while Hiroyuki Sanada returns as Lord Yoshii Toranaga. Sanada’s commitment to the project signals confidence in the series’ renewal, initially designed as a limited run.
The upcoming season promises to diverge from its source material, presenting “a wholly original new chapter” a decade after the storylines introduced in the first season, which drew from James Clavell’s bestselling novel. The original season depicted Lord Toranaga battling rivals within the Council of Regents, as Blackthorne divulged critical strategies that ultimately shifted the balance of power during a civil war.
This new season continues the saga of these two characters from vastly different backgrounds whose destinies remain intertwined, according to FX. Creators Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks have faced the challenge of crafting narrative arcs without a preset framework, as the subsequent novels in Clavell’s “Asian Saga” do not include the same characters featured in “Shōgun.” Despite this, the writing team is incorporating elements and characters previously unexplored in the initial installment.
Production will take place in Vancouver, where the first season was filmed. Although there had been discussions about relocating to Japan, logistical challenges have led FX to maintain its Canadian base of operations. In September, Sanada hinted at the possibility of shooting on Japanese soil, but FX Chairman John Landgraf later expressed concerns about matching the scale of the production with suitable locations in Japan.
Casting news has confirmed that Jarvis will also join the production team as a co-executive producer, enhancing his role within the series as it moves forward. Sanada remains an executive producer alongside Marks, Kondo, Michaela Clavell, Edward L. McDonnell, and Michael De Luca.
As the story evolves, viewers will find the remaining central characters, portrayed by Jarvis and Sanada, navigating the turbulent political waters of a time gone by. Notably, the previous season achieved historic recognition, winning 18 Emmy Awards, the highest count ever for a single season of a series, and marking a milestone for FX with its first Outstanding Drama Series Emmy.
Sanada’s performance earned him accolades as the first Japanese actor to claim the award for Lead Actor in a Drama Series, while Anna Sawai made her own mark as the first actress of Asian descent to win in the Lead Actress category. “Shōgun” continues to resonate not only for its gripping storytelling but also for its groundbreaking achievements within the industry.