Shogunthe record-breaking, Emmy-winning historical drama series, may soon be heading to its home country for its second season.
Speaking to Deadline on the red carpet ahead of the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 15, star and producer Hiroyuki Sanada hinted at a possible move of production on the second season to Japan. The series, based on James Clavell’s 1975 novel of the same name and set in 17th-century feudal Japan, was unable to film on location due to the pandemic. Production on the first season began in Canada in late 2021.
“Not sure yet, but we are discussing,” Sanada said of the possibility. “Because last time we couldn’t shoot scenes in Japan because of the pandemic, but now we can plan.”
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A historical fiction, Shogun follows Lord Yoshii Toranaga’s (Sanada) fight against his united enemies in the Regent Council. The unfolding of his power changes when Cosmo Jarvis’ John Blackthorne, a shipwrecked English pilot, enters the tense environment and brings secrets that could aid Toranaga’s plans. The two men from hostile worlds are accompanied by their translator Toda Mariko (Pachinko‘s Anna Sawai), a disgraced noblewoman with mysterious origins who must prove her loyalty and ability.
“We tried to make it as authentic as possible, so as a producer I could hire Japanese actors for Japanese roles and bring the Japanese crew that specialized in the samurai drama. So we had a great team,” said Sanada. “Working with Western and Japanese cast and crew was like a dream team for me.”
In May, the commercially and critically successful FX film – once a miniseries – was renewed for two more seasons. Sanada spoke of looking to other inspirations for the upcoming installments, as the content of Clavell’s novel has already been exhausted.
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“We don’t have any more novels,” he explained. “We’re done at the end of the first season, but we have the real story and the real role models, and we know what happened, so we can create original, fictional entertainment with a Shogun Taste and quality with the true story. This will be a great project for me.”
While the Emmys are being awarded tonight, Shogun has already broken the record for most Emmy wins for a series in a single season, with 14 nominations ahead of the main show. The series is nominated for additional awards in the categories of writing, directing, lead actor and series for a drama series.
