Shōgun: Release date, cast, plot, and everything we know so far

Shōgun: Release date, cast, plot, and everything we know so far (Image via FX Networks)
Shōgun: Release date, cast, plot, and everything we know so far (Image via FX Networks)

Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo’s historical drama series, Shōgun, was announced to be adapted into a straight-to-series order by FX in August 2018. During its production, the series faced a lot of setbacks involving delays in filming as the production was subpar, original writer Ronan Bennet no longer being available to penn the scripts, and more.

However, despite the challenges, the production was once again back on track, with Kondo’s husband, Justin Marks, who also serves as one of the executive producers, starting the scripts from scratch.

The series was filmed in Vancouver, the United Kingdom, and Japan. As FX announced, Shōgun is all set to debut worldwide on February 27, 2024. Follow along with the article to learn more about the series.


Where to watch Shōgun? All streaming options explored

As stated above, Shōgun will premiere globally on February 27, 2024, on Hulu in the U.S. and Japan. In Latin America, the series can be enjoyed on Star+, given that Hulu’s services are restricted to the U.S. and Japan.

For fans internationally who wouldn’t want to miss out on the upcoming historical fiction, they can rely on Disney+. The series has been slated for a ten-episode run from February 27 to April 23 and will have a double-header premiere, both helmed by Jonath van Tullekan.


Does Shōgun have a trailer

FX Networks dropped the first official trailer for Shōgun on YouTube on November 2, 2023, offering a sneak peek at what’s on the horizon. In just three months, the trailer accumulated eleven million views. Below is the official trailer for Shōgun:

youtube-cover

Cast and characters

The series boasts a stellar cast featuring Hiroyuki Sanada, Anna Sawai, Cosmo Jarvis and more. Here’s the complete list of cast in the series:

  • Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Yoshii Toranaga
  • Cosmo Jarvis as Pilot Major John Blackthorne
  • Anna Sawai as Toda Mariko
  • Tadanobu Asano as Kashigi Yabushige
  • Hiroto Kanai as Kashigi Omi
  • Takehiro Hira as Ishido Kazunari
  • Moeka Hoshi as Usami Fuji
  • Shinnosuke Abe as Toda Buntaro
  • Tokuma Nishioka as Toda "Iron Fist" Hiromatsu
  • Yasunari Takeshima as Muraji
  • Yuki Kura as Yoshii Nagakado
  • Fumi Nikaido as Ochiba No Kata
  • Tommy Bastow as Father Martin Alvito
  • Yuka Kouri as Kiku
  • Yoriko Dōguchi as Kiri No Kata
  • Ako as Daiyoin / Lady Iyo

Additional recurring cast in the series:

  • Toshi Toda as Sugiyama
  • Hiro Kanagawa as Igurashi
  • Junichi Tajiri as Uejiro
  • Néstor Carbonell as Vasco Rodrigues
  • Nobuya Shimamoto as Nebara Jozen
  • Yuki Kedoin as Takemaru
  • Mako Fujimoto as Shizu No Kata
  • Haruno Niiyama as Natsu No Kata
  • Hiromoto Ida as Kiyama ukon Sadanaga (Konishi Yukinaga (1555-1600))
  • Takeshi Kurokawa as Ohno Harunobu (Otani Yoshitsugu (1558-1600))
  • Yuko Miyamoto as Gin
  • Yoshi Amao as Sera

About the series

Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo’s Shōgun is based on the 1975 novel of the same name by James Clavell. The series' official logline describes the story as such:

“When a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village, its English pilot, John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), comes bearing secrets that could help Toranaga tip the scales of power and devastate the formidable influence of Blackthorne’s own enemies — the Jesuit priests and Portuguese merchants.

It continues

Toranaga’s and Blackthorne’s fates become inextricably tied to their translator, Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai), a mysterious Christian noblewoman and the last of a disgraced line. While serving her lord amidst this fraught political landscape, Mariko must reconcile her newfound companionship with Blackthorne, her commitment to the faith that saved her, and her duty to her late father.”

Stay tuned for more news and updates on Shōgun as 2024 progresses.

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