Exploring the future of Hulu's 'Shōgun' in Seasons 2, 3
The historical drama series Shōgun, a joint production by Hulu and FX, has been officially renewed for a second and third season. Adapted from James Clavell's namesake 1975 novel—which was previously brought to screen in a 1980 miniseries—the renewal has sparked curiosity about the direction of the story, especially considering the absence of source material. Notably, the creators, Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo—who began development in 2018—have had five years to meticulously prepare the series, increasing viewers' hopes.
Why does this story matter?
Shōgun weaves the tale of two ambitious men thrust into a clash of cultures: John Blackthorne—a daring English sailor stranded in Japan, and Lord Toranaga—a cunning daimyo (great lord) navigating treacherous political waters. Alongside them is Lady Mariko, whose invaluable skills are overshadowed by her family's past. The ensemble cast, led by Hiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis, and Anna Sawai, brings this story to life. Despite being an American production, Shōgun predominantly features Japanese actors and is primarily spoken in Japanese.
The first season narrative was based on historical events
The first season of Shōgun is rooted in real-life historical events, specifically the rise of Tokugawa Ieyasu's shogunate, embodied by Sanada's character, Lord Toranaga. However, the second season will not feature some popular characters such as Mariko (Sawai), Yabushige portrayed by Tadanobu Asano, and Hiromatsu enacted by Tokuma Nishioka. The forthcoming season may incorporate significant events like the Battle of Sekigahara and Lord Ishido's downfall. In India, it's streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
Future seasons to explore shogunate establishment and Christianity
Season 2 of Shōgun will likely concentrate on the early stages of the shogunate's establishment, with a primary focus on the Christianity subplot from the first season. This is due to Tokugawa's historical ban on Christianity about a decade after his shogunate was formed. The third season is predicted to highlight the Siege of Osaka, which was Tokugawa's final battle that cemented his unassailable shogunate in feudal Japan.
Series might reflect the historical Christian expulsion
The spread and influence of Christianity throughout Japan, a major theme in Shōgun, particularly through Lady Mariko's character, will likely continue in future seasons. The series is expected to depict Toranaga banning Christians from Japan, mirroring real-life events when Tokugawa Ieyasu enacted the Christian Expulsion Edict in 1614 due to concerns about the influence of Christian mercenaries from Spain and Portugal. This sets up a potential recreation of the Siege of Osaka in future seasons.
