Hulu and FX's Shogun has become one of this year's biggest hits. With seven of the 10 episodes released in the mini-series, there's still more drama that awaits. But as the series winds down, there's one big question that many have: will there be a second season?
Billed as a 10-episode limited series, Shogun is an original adaptation of James Clavell's bestselling 1975 novel, described as "a sprawling story set in Japan in the year 1600 at the dawn of a century-defining civil war."
Below is the official series synopsis:
The series follows Lord Yoshii Toranaga (producer Hiroyuki Sanada), who is fighting for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents conspire against him. When a mysterious ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village, its English pilot, John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), comes bearing secrets that could help Toranaga tip the scales of power and devastate the formidable influence of Blackthorne’s own enemies: the Jesuit priests and Portuguese merchants. Toranaga’s and Blackthorne’s fates become inextricably tied to their translator, Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai), a mysterious Christian noblewoman and the last of a disgraced line. While serving her lord amidst this fraught political landscape, Mariko must reconcile her newfound companionship with Blackthorne, her commitment to the faith that saved her, and her duty to her late father.
Shogun has been met with universal acclaim from critics and fans alike and sits at a near-perfect 99% on Rotten Tomatoes. As noted by The Walt Disney Company back in March, Shogun garnered 9 million views globally for the premiere episode across Hulu, Disney+, and Star+, based on six days of streaming, making it the No. 1 scripted General Entertainment series premiere globally. It was the No. 1 FX premiere on Hulu in the United States, and internationally, Shogun was No. 1 across all General Entertainment series releases.
Given the series' success thus far, one would think it would be a no-brainer for FX to greenlight a second season. There's just one problem — the first season encompasses Clavell's entire novel.
Series showrunners Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo previously talked about the possibility of a second season, explaining that they took the story "to the end of the book."
“We took the story to the end of the book and put a period at the end of that sentence. 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,” said Marks. “I’ve been party to this in the past with shows like this, where you build a whole factory, and it only pumps out 10 cars and closes up shop. It’s a bummer.”
More recently, ComicBook.com also got to speak with Shogun editors Maria Gonzalez and Aikia Miyake, and asked if there were any plans to continue the series past the events of the book.
"I definitely feel very proud of the work that we've done and very satisfied with the show as is," Gonzales said. "At the time of completing, when we were done cutting, there wasn't really any mention of, or any serious plans about a Season 2. And I think that's kind of where we're at still. I'm not sure if it will happen. Obviously, it's out of our hands [laughs]; we're the last people [to know]."
Miyake sounded a bit more optimistic though, stating: "Personally, I want to see Season 2! I have no idea.There's definitely plenty to build on, for sure. All these characters were given their due, and it really feels like the show could keep living in that respect. It was really well done."
For now, neither FX nor Hulu have announced plans for a second season. The good news is there are still three episodes left to enjoy. "Chapter Eight: The Abyss of Life" airs on April 9.