FX’s ShÅgun was intended as a miniseries based on James Clavell’s novel of the same name, but after earning 9 million views during its first week on streaming, they’re pulling a White Lotus. On May 16, FX confirmed that seasons two and three of the show are currently in development. After all, the possibilities are almost endless with that kind of viewership. Below, the latest on the ShÅgun renewal.
A second season won’t be simple.
May 10, 2023: Co-creator and showrunner Justin Marks told The Direct in February that the season-one finale wraps up “exactly where the book ends.†He explained to The Hollywood Reporter that it took almost five years to complete ShÅgun, so if they had plans for a season two, they’re very far behind: “We also made this show so long ago, because of the long tail of postproduction on it. It’s not like a normal TV series, where if we were in a situation like this promoting it, we wouldn’t just be in the writers’ room already, we’d be on set shooting season two by now.â€
Michaela Clavell, executive producer and daughter of James Clavell, is slightly more hopeful that her father’s televised legacy will live on; she told The Direct: “The audience will let us know whether there’s an appetite for that. We shall see. It’s a great question. I wish I knew the complete answer, but I don’t.â€
Editors Maria Gonzales and Aika Miyake told ComicBook.com that when they were wrapping up the show, there were no “serious plans†for another season. Gonzales explains, “I think that’s kind of where we’re at still. I’m not sure if it will happen. Obviously, it’s out of our hands; we’re the last people to know.†Miyake adds: “Personally, I want to see season two! … There’s definitely plenty to build on, for sure.â€
Has ShÅgun been renewed?
May 16, 2024: After mixed messages behind the scenes, more ShÅgun is in the works. Two more seasons of the show are being developed, though the series is still not officially renewed. FX and Hulu confirmed co-creators Marks and Rachel Kondo are working with Michaela Clavell. Star Hiroyuki Sanada is onboard as well. There’s no production timeline quite yet, so hold your horses, but the series is putting together a writers’ room for the summer. ShÅgun isn’t show done, but it is sho’ gonna be a long wait.