Is Shōgun Getting a Season 2?

FX’s Shōgun is about to wrap up its 10-episode run, leaving audiences eager for additional installments of the acclaimed historical drama. So, is Shōgun Season 2 in the works?

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Is Shōgun Season 2 Happening?

Yes, FX and Hulu have reportedly green-lighted Shōgun Season 2 and Season 3. Per Variety, the network and its sister streaming service recently reached a deal with the estate of Shōgun author James Clavell to develop two more seasons of the acclaimed series.

The Shōgun adaptation’s co-creators and co-showrunners Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo remain attached to the series. Executive producer Michaela Clavell is likewise still on board. But most importantly of all, one of Season 1’s biggest stars, Hiroyuki Sanada, is locked in to reprise the Lord Yoshii Toranaga role.

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The news of Shōgun‘s renewal caught fans and industry insiders alike by surprise. After all, Season 1 was originally billed as a limited series. What’s more, in an April 2024 Hollywood Reporter interview, Marks and Kondo downplayed hopes of additional seasons. Fielding questions about a potential Shōgun Season 2, Marks observed that Season 1 already covered the entirety of Clavell’s book.

That said, Marks also acknowledged that he and Kondo would be “open” to a second season “if we could find a story.” Presumably, they’ve done just that, although Variety notes Shōgun‘s re-up “is not a formal renewal.” As such, FX and Hulu could still scuttle Seasons 2 and 3.

Does the Shōgun Novel Have Any Sequels?

Yes – kinda. There are five other books in Clavell’s Asian Saga series, aside from Shōgun. Ordered by publication date, they are:

1. King Rat (1962)
2. Tai-Pan (1966)
3. Shōgun (1975)
4. Noble House (1981)
5. Whirlwind (1986)
6. Gai-Jin (1993)

Meanwhile, the Asian Saga‘s chronological order shakes down like this:

1. Shōgun (1975)
2. Tai-Pan (1966)
3. Gai-Jin (1993)
4. King Rat (1962)
5. Noble House (1981)
6. Whirlwind (1986)

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It’s worth noting that these six tomes are only sequels in the loosest sense. While some characters show up (or at least namechecked) in multiple Asian Saga books, their respective narratives are largely standalone. Instead, the series’ volumes are linked more by their shared basic premise of Europeans’ experiences in Asia. That said, Gai-Jin comes closest to serving as a Shōgun sequel, as it features the descendants of some of that book’s core characters (including Yoshii Toranaga).

All 10 episodes of Shōgun Season 1 are currently streaming on Hulu.

The above article was updated on 5/17/2024 by the original author to include information about Shōgun’s Season 2 renewal.