FX and Hulu have officially announced plans for two more seasons of the hit drama series Shogun. The network has partnered with the estate of author James Clavell to extend the show for two additional seasons. Both seasons are currently in development, with a writers room being assembled to explore a continuation of the story beyond Clavell's original novel.
The creative team behind Shogun, including co-creators, executive producers, and writers, as well as star and producer Hiroyuki Sanada, are all involved in the development of the new seasons. The first season of Shogun, which concluded in late April, has become FX's most-watched show ever based on global hours streamed. Viewers can currently binge-watch the 10-episode first season on Hulu.
The decision to renew Shogun for two more seasons comes after rumors surfaced in May that FX was considering extending the series beyond its initial limited series format. The show, initially billed as a limited series, has proven to be a massive success for FX, with high streaming numbers across various platforms.
If the additional seasons are greenlit, lead actor Hiroyuki Sanada has already signed on to return to the franchise. Shogun is also notable for being the most expensive scripted show in FX's history, with years of development leading up to its debut.
In an interview earlier this year, FX CEO John Landgraf expressed openness to creating more high-budget programming like Shogun if there is audience demand for it. The creative team behind Shogun has also hinted at the possibility of continuing the story further, acknowledging the challenges of living up to Clavell's original work.
With the success of the first season and the enthusiastic response from viewers, the future looks bright for Shogun as it prepares to embark on new storytelling adventures in the upcoming seasons.
