The historical adventure epic Shogun is already one of the biggest series surprises of the year. The adaptation of James Clavell’s classic novel is not only well received by audiences and critics, but is also a huge streaming success for Hulu and Disney+.
While the broadcast of the 10 episodes will not be completed until the end of April, many fans are already wondering whether Shogun could get a second season given all its success. Unfortunately there is bad news.
Series success on Disney+: Shogun will not get a season 2
The two series creators Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo were asked in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter about their creative wishes for a possible second season and immediately made it clear that Shogun is a miniseries as a novel adaptation completed after 10 episodes is:
We have the story told until the end of the book and put a period at the end of the sentence. We love how the book ends; that was one of the reasons we both knew we wanted to do it – and we end up right there.
Since Shogun filmed the book in its entirety a second season is not necessary at all. As Marks notes, however, that is just his perspective. Disney could still decide to continue the already extremely successful FX production. However, this would mean that a future season would have to expand the story beyond the original novel.
FX/Disney
Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Toranaga
A Shogun sequel is also possible without season 2. Instead of another season, Disney could choose an anthology approach and tell thematically related stories with new characters. And there’s even the perfect template for this – from Shogun author James Clavell himself.
Instead of season 2: Shogun is part of a huge novel saga that can be made into a film
The novel Shogun is only part of the six books Asian Saga by James Clavell, which was published between 1962 and 1993. The following volumes are included:
Although published as the third novel in the series, Shogun chronologically tells the first story in the saga. The remaining stories are no longer located in the year 1600, but in the 19th and 20th centuries. However, the focus remains on Europeans who find themselves in Asian culture.
Since the other volumes of the Asian Saga take place hundreds of years after the experiences of James “Anjin” Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) and Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), fans should not hope for a return of familiar Shogun characters in a possible adaptation of these novels.
When is the finale of Shogun on Disney+?
There will certainly be a final verdict on the future of Shogun in the coming weeks and months. Because the triumph of the adventure series is far from over.
Shogun has been running on Disney+ in Germany since February 27, 2024. The 10 episodes are published weekly, every Tuesday. The final can be seen from April 23, 2024.