FX’s Shogun has defied expectations. Originally conceived as a limited series, the critically acclaimed adaptation of James Clavell’s novel has been renewed for a second season, with a third potentially on the horizon. Here’s everything we know about the upcoming continuation of the story.
Shogun Season 2 Release Speculation
While no official release date has been confirmed, Shogun Season 2 will be available on Hulu and Disney Plus when it eventually arrives.
In February 2025, co-showrunner Justin Marks revealed to Deadline that the writers’ room had finished scripting the 10-episode season. “We’re coming out of the writers’ room now. We’re also done with the 10 episodes and we have our finale now. That’s allowing us to start figuring out how we’re going to shoot this.”
With no more material from Clavell’s novel to adapt, the new season will delve into history with fresh storytelling. While FX Chairman John Landgraf has hinted that Season 2 might be the show’s last, a third season remains a strong possibility to fully tell the story the creators envision.
Hiroyuki Sanada, who stars as Lord Yoshii Toranaga, has ruled out a 2025 release. He told Collider that production is expected to begin in fall 2025. Given this timeline, Season 2 likely won’t arrive until 2026 at the earliest.
Shogun Season 2 Cast
Confirmed Cast:
- Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Yoshii Toranaga – Based on Tokugawa Ieyasu, Toranaga is poised to solidify his power in Japan.
Casting Rumors:
- Moeka Hoshi as Usami Fuji – The granddaughter of Toda Hiromatsu and former consort to John Blackthorne. Hoshi revealed that she is in discussions with the show’s creators about Season 2.
While Sanada has confirmed that half of the original cast will return, the identities of returning characters remain uncertain. Anna Sawai (Toda Mariko), Tadanobu Asano (Kashigi Yabushige), and Takehiro Hira (Ishido Kazunari) are unlikely to return due to their characters’ fates. However, there is speculation that deceased characters may appear through flashbacks, dreams, or other narrative techniques.
Shogun Season 1 Recap
The first season follows the arrival of English pilot John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) in feudal Japan. He is captured by Lord Yoshii Toranaga, who uses the foreigner as a pawn in his power struggle against the ruling regents. With tensions rising, Blackthorne earns Toranaga’s trust, receives the title of hatamoto, and begins training Japanese warriors in Western military tactics.
The season builds to the dramatic Crimson Sky plan, a strategy that ultimately leads to Toranaga’s future domination. By the end, Toranaga has manipulated events to ensure his eventual rise, while Blackthorne and others suffer tragic losses in Osaka. The show ends with a flash-forward to the Battle of Sekigahara, confirming Toranaga’s ultimate victory.
Shogun Season 2 Plot Speculation
With the novel’s story completed in Season 1, Season 2 will chart new territory, pulling directly from Japanese history. According to Hiroyuki Sanada, the new season will follow the real-life path of Tokugawa Ieyasu. While adhering to historical events, the writers will have creative freedom within the framework of the Shogun world.
The production team has maintained a “900-page bible” based on historical research, ensuring cultural and historical accuracy while crafting the story. Given the trajectory of history, Season 2 will likely explore the political maneuvering leading up to the official establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
Showrunners Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo have stated that they already know how the entire story will end. Marks noted that after outlining the full arc, they felt compelled to continue beyond Season 1. Fans can expect a deeper dive into Toranaga’s consolidation of power and the final steps toward his becoming Shogun.
What’s Next?
The upcoming season promises to be a darker chapter, with Toranaga’s rise demanding even greater strategic ruthlessness. The showrunners have hinted that while Season 2 is the primary focus, a third season is likely necessary to complete the story.
With a rich historical backdrop and a commitment to intricate storytelling, Shogun Season 2 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated television events of the coming years.
