Shogun was one of the most baffling shows of epic proportions with astounding casts and brilliant performances. It was so fitting to the very temperament and gravity of the show that was set in Japan in the year 1600. Based on James Clavell’s novel of the same name, Shogun was an instant hit among fans and critics.
Shogun Renewed For 2 More Seasons
Hiroyuki Sanada in Shogun. Image Credit: FX Productions
Shogun has been renewed for two more seasons following the success of the first season but the upcoming seasons will not be devoid of hardship as the first season has pretty much covered James Clavell’s novel. The forthcoming seasons would be more of an exploration of extension beyond the original narrative.
Shogun co-creators, exec producers and writers Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo alongside executive producer Michaela Cleveland and the lead star and producer Hiroyuki Sanada are all involved with the development, according to a report by THR.
The 10-episode season 1 of the FX show for Hulu has been a huge hit so, despite not having much room for an extension following the crux of the novel the show was expected to be greenlit for at least another season. Sanada also showed his interest in joining more possible additions.
Shogun has certainly been one of the most expensive shows of recent times which took years to develop. The reception was splendid too, Shogun racks nine million streaming views globally across Hulu, Disney+ and Star+ on their debut. Although it was labeled and marketed as a limited series, the extension shows that the success of the forthcoming seasons may open doors to more possible exploration into the narrative.
Fans Are Dubious About Shogun Renewal For 2 Reasons
Anna Sawai as Toda Mariko in Shogun. Image Credit: FX Productions
Shogun renewal sounds quite exciting but deep down we all can feel the inherent void the show’s upcoming seasons must endure. The FX hit show has killed off Toda Mariko— played by Anna Sawai who has F9 to her credit— one of the pivotal characters in the narrative. It was fine for the limited series albeit painful to endure but without her fans are not so sure about the renewal.
Won't be the same without her pic.twitter.com/uTLPSQqhnR
— Blah Blah Blah (@BlahBlahBllaahh) May 16, 2024
Anna Sawai's performance was the best thing in an amazing show. Without her I just can't see it being anywhere near as good. Should have just used the format to tell a different story from another time period.
— theonlyeric (@theonlyeric99) May 16, 2024
Do it as a prequel and include her, win/win
— neoronin (@neoronin_gg) May 16, 2024
Won't hit the same without HER pic.twitter.com/8SdCtIqfGz
— Nonso (@Chinonso_nornor) May 16, 2024
I'm not sure it's worth doing 2 & 3 without Anna Sawai 😭 pic.twitter.com/fk1sju0I9t
— Jon Handy Dandy Man 🦋 (@JonHandyDandy) May 16, 2024
Also, it’s worth noting that, maintaining consistency would be super hard for the showrunners as the source material has been gobbled up in the first season itself.
You know, it’s ok if a creator told a story in one book/season/movie/game and it was good and successful and then they moved on to a new project that is equally as good but a whole new IP.
Not everything has to become a franchise. Not everything needs to go on forever. Stop…
— Rino (@RinoTheBouncer) May 16, 2024
Agreed 👍🏻 There are 2 other books in the series of Shogun. Ones called Tai-pan and Gai-jin but they are not Shogun. So I’m torn on wheather or not they should. pic.twitter.com/sCHpF6ZZUk
— Kirsten (@kirsten_fernand) May 17, 2024
It feels like maybe studios are desperate for the next Game of Thrones situation, so they're just running with whatever they can get their hands on
— KYH9 (@SkiethMorganna) May 16, 2024
Wait I thought it was supposed to only be one season!? Isn't it supposed to be a limited series and 3 SEASONS?????
i have a really bad feeling about this… pic.twitter.com/5iTMbqESge— Tolly Censor👀 (@TheTollyCensor) May 16, 2024
Amazing they found a way to continue the story asap the money came in, weird how that always works.
— El CapOhtani (@CaptMorganDFS) May 16, 2024
Still, it will be interesting to see what the coming seasons might hold. Also, considering the show’s first season took years to develop, the upcoming seasons are unlikely to hit the streamer before late 2026 or early 2027.
Stream Shogun on Hulu.
