Shōgun, the historical drama series based on the bestselling novel by James Clavell, made waves earlier this year, topping streaming charts and earning universal praise.
The limited series has left many wondering if another instalment is in the works. Deadline shares that the lead star and producer Hiroyuki Sanada is set to return as Lord Yoshii Toranaga, sparking renewal buzz for the highly acclaimed FX series.
This update surprised most fans since Shōgun’s 10-episode format mirrored the source material. “We took the story to the end of the book and put a period at the end of that sentence,” says show co-creator Justin Marks. “We love how the book ends; it was one of the reasons why we both knew we wanted to do it — and we ended in exactly that place.”
However, in a separate interview, he admits that a second season is not totally out of the question as long as they have a narrative nailed down. “I think if we had a story, if we could find a story, we would be open to it. And it’s also just about, do people want more of it?”
With Shōgun’s critical and commercial success, the answer to Marks’s question seems to be a resounding yes, and plans for Season 2 are underway to capitalise on this.
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What storyline could Shōgun Season 2 explore?
At the end of Season 1, Lord Toranaga is poised to be the shogun, a hard-earned victory for a shot to bring feudal Japan to a period of peace. In the process, he lost key followers, including his translator and confidant, Lady Mariko; however, he earned the loyalty of foreigner John Blackthorne, who survived the events of 1600.
Related: Did John Blackthorne Betray His Men in FX's Shōgun?
Should the showrunners decide to continue the chronological storytelling of Shogun, Season 2 could possibly expound on the Battle of Sekigahara and the events that follow the encounter. The real-life Toronaga, Tokugawa Ieyasa, emerged victorious in the battle, establishing a shogunate lasting for more than two centuries.
Shogun is available to stream on Disney+.