Shogun
star Hiroyuki Sanada admits that season 2 of the hit FX show faces a great deal of pressure following the success of season 1. Based on the novel by James Clavell and created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, the historical drama premiered in early 2024, chronicling the ways in which shipwrecked English sailor John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) becomes wrapped up in Lord Toranaga’s (Sanada) quest for power in Feudal Japan. After season 1 achieved success with critics and viewers, Shōgun season 2 is now confirmed to be on the way, in addition to season 3.
Following his SAG win for Best Male Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Toranaga, Sanada addresses the impact that Shōgun season 1’s success is having on the development of season 2. Speaking in the award show’s press room, which ScreenRant was present in, Sanada emphasizes the creative team’s focus on writing strong scripts to make sure the show’s sophomore outing lives up to season 1. Check out his comment below:
These awards gave us strength to go forward, but also a lot of pressure. [Chuckles] Because the great reaction we had — more than expected — in season 1. So we should carefully create the best script and then [choose] the best new cast and the crew and the location. But very positive, you know, pressure becomes an energy sometimes. So thank you for big pressure tonight again.
What Shōgun Season 1’s Success Means For Season 2
The Show’s Reception Explained
Shōgun season 1 reviews were glowing from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the show currently enjoys a stunning 99% score from critics and a strong 85% from audiences. In her review for ScreenRant, Mae Abdulbaki awards the show an eight out of 10, praising the performances, the shocking moments of violence, and the ways in which Kondo and Marks adapt the complexities and nuances of Clavell’s novel.
There are so many moving parts, but the writers carefully craft a story that never overwhelms. Watching Shōgun’s story unfold is a slow, sizzling burn in the best possible sense. The setting and the characters are fleshed out, so there’s a deep understanding of why everyone is doing what they’re doing and why they feel how they feel.
The problem facing season 2 after the Shōgun season 1 finale, of course, is that there’s no more of Clavell’s novel to adapt. Season 1 covers the entirety of the source material, meaning Marks and Kondo will be charting their own course forward with what comes next. Season 2 was given the green light based on the response to season 1, but maintaining this level of quality will evidently be a challenge with season 2 and beyond, and Sanada clearly recognizes that.
Why There’s Reason To Be Cautiously Optimistic About The Show’s Future
Marks and Kondo deserve a lot of credit for making Shōgun season 1 as good as it is, and their continued involvement in seasons 2 and 3 is a promising sign. It’s entirely possible that, under their guidance, the show’s next two outings will be just as good; they’ve definitely earned the benefit of the doubt. With season 1 having set such a high bar, though, it’s certainly reasonable to be skeptical that the new episodes will reach this same high level of quality.
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“900-Page Bible”: Shogun’s Future Comment Gives Me A Lot More Faith In Season 2
Shogun can’t continue to follow the book for upcoming seasons since the book’s events have all been portrayed in the development of season 1.
By the sound of things, Marks and Kondo and the show’s creative team are taking their time with season 2, making sure to get the scripts right before anything else. This will hopefully mean that Toranaga’s story in Shōgun season 2 is just as compelling when it does eventually make its way to the small screen.
Shogun
8/10
- Release Date
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2024 – 2025
- Directors
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Fred Toye, Jonathan van Tulleken, Charlotte Brändström, Takeshi Fukunaga, Hiromi Kamata
- Writers
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Rachel Kondo
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Hiroyuki Sanada
Yoshii Toranaga
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Cosmo Jarvis
John Blackthorne
