It looks like Shōgun might actually be getting a second season. Series star and producer Hiroyuki Sanada has signed a deal with FX to reprise his role as Lord Yoshii Toranaga in the next chapter of the historical epic.
The series was only supposed to be a one-and-done limited series, but after it became a huge hit, FX obviously wanted to continue the series in some way.
According to the report, “in the event of a Season 2 renewal, Cosmo Jarvis would likely also return to reprise his role of Pilot-Major John Blackthorne. Of course, there are plenty of other pieces that must fall into place before an official greenlight.”
The first season was based on James Clavell’s 1975 novel, but with that done, the creative team won’t have a roadmap to follow.
Co-creator Justin Marks previously said that a Season 2 is unlikely, but the creative team is open to it if they could find a great and interesting story to tell.
Marks said: “I keep saying it’s like we want to let everyone be on the same page when it comes to the book. And hopefully now the TV audience and the book audience are on the same page with what the story is and where it resolves.”
He went on to say: “I think if we had a story, if we could find a story, we would be open to it. But I don’t think that anyone ever wants to be out over their skis without a roadmap and everything. And it’s also just about, do people want more of it?”
Marks continued: “But it’s also about, not even topping the book, but, how do you even equal the roadmap that Clavell laid out? And I don’t know if it’s possible.
He added: “I don’t know if Clavell could have done it either. That’s probably why he moved on to other books too, right? He knew what he had done. Yeah, it’s a tough one.”
Well, it seems like they are going to give it a try. The creative team is going to attempt to continue the story, and it will be interesting to see wat they come up with.
Written by Marks and Rachel Kondo, Shōgun is set in the 17th century and takes place across multiple continents. The story follows a shipwrecked English sailor who gets wrapped up in the blood-splattered chessboard of feudal Japanese politics.
Shōgun is FX’s most expensive series to date.
Source: Variety
