Summary
The outstanding FX/Hulu seriesShōgunhas been nominated for an impressive 25 nominations at the upcoming 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards. WhileShōgunwas originally intended to be a 10-part limited series based on the celebrated novel of the same name by James Clavell, the overwhelming success and popularity of the series inspired FX, Hulu, and creators Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo to expand the story in further seasons.Shōgunearned a near-perfect 99% critic score on Rotten Tomatoesand is poised to have a big night at the Emmys, which will take place on June 29, 2025.
Shōgunwas previously adapted into a limited series back in 1980 starring Richard Chamberlain and Toshirô Mifune. Like the 2024 critically acclaimed series, 1980’sShōgunreceived outstanding reviews and was widely considered one of the best series of the year in which it was released.1980’sShōgunwent on to win a total of 3 Emmys in 1981after receiving an impressive 14 nominations, includingOutstanding Costume Design for a Series, Outstanding Graphic Design and Title Sequences, and Outstanding Limited Series. More than four decades later,Shōgunleads with a remarkable 25 nominations for its first season alone.
How Shogun’s Story Can Continue In Seasons 2 & 3 (Based On Real Life History)
Shōgun is guaranteed to have at least 2 more seasons and should continue to chronicle the legendary historical conflicts of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Hiroyuki Sanada’s Emmy Nomination Is A Consequence Of Shogun Focusing On Toranaga
Toranaga is the mastermind at work in the series
Shōgunprimarily focuses onLord Toranaga (Tokugawa Ieyasu)andJohn Blackthorne (William Adams), who are based on real-life historical figures in 1600 feudal Japan. The modern-day series focuses more intently on Toranaga’s titular character while the older series was more centered on Chamberlain’s leading performance as the Anjin. As a result, Sanada was nominated for the Best Actor in a Drama Series Emmy whileCosmo Jarvis, who gave a brilliant performance as John Blackthorne, was not. Their co-star Anna Sawai was also nominated for Best Actress in a Drama Series while Tadanobu Asano and Takehiro Hira received supporting nominations.
There’s little doubt that Sanada deserves the Emmy nomination and that the series as a whole deserves all of the praise and acclaim it has received. It is unquestionably one of the best series of 2024 and could very well be the best.Shōgunis arguably a clear favoritein many of the categoriesit is nominated in and is expected to be a top contender in acting and visual/technical categories. While Sanada’s Lord Toranaga is not very emotional or expressive,the expert subtly of the actor’s performance is what truly makes it worthy of an Emmy.
Shōgun Season 2: Confirmation, Cast & Everything We Know
The historical epic Shōgun was originally billed as a limited series on FX, but the popular show is returning for seasons 2 & 3.
FX’s Shogun Tells The Story From A Different Perspective Than The 1980 Miniseries
Chamberlain was the main attraction in the original Shogun
The recent version ofShōgunplaces much more of its focus on Lord Toranaga than the original series did, which instead is more interested in Chamberlain’s performance and character as Blackthorne.1980’sShōgunwas the very first American television production to be filmed entirely in Japan, which was groundbreaking in and of itself. Because of the social context and standards of Westernized entertainment of the time period, 1980’sShōgunleaned more heavily into Chamberlain’s character as a reliable narrator and access point for American audiences. A series like 2024’sShōgunwould likely not have satisfied audiences of the time.
Shōgunis one of eight nominations for Outstanding Drama Series at the 2024 Emmys, joining a competitive category that also includesMr. & Mrs. Smith,The Morning Show,Fallout,Slow Horses,The Crown,3 Body Problem, andThe Gilded Age. Sanada will go up against Idris Elba (Hijack,Apple TV+), Donald Glover (Mr. and Mrs. Smith,Prime Video), Walton Goggins (Fallout,Prime Video), Gary Oldman (Slow Horses,Apple TV+), Dominic West (The Crown,Netflix).Out of its 25 nominations, Sawai’s Best Actress - Drama Series seems likely, as well as those in writing, production design, and costume design categories.
FX’s Shogun Was A Massive Improvement Over This Netflix Historic Epic From 10 Years Ago
Roughly a decade ago, Netflix churned out a hugely popular historical epic, but Shogun takes similar themes and executes them much more successfully.
Cosmo Jarvis’ John Blackthorne Also Shined In Shogun
Jarvis could earn a nomination for season 2
There’s certainly a case for Cosmo Jarvis deserving an Emmy nomination for his role as John Blackthorne. His character is essentially one of three core protagonists along with Toranaga and Sawai’s Toda Mariko, so he is most definitely a lead actor.He may have had the most screen time out of anyone in the series. Since there are only six slots available for the pool of Best Actor nominees, it would have been surprising if two of them were designated toShōgunalone, despite how good it is. With Sawai ultimately out of the leading role forShōgunseason 2, it could open the door for Jarvis to receive a nomination in the future.
Shogun
Cast
Shōgun, released in 2024, is set in Japan during 1600 at the onset of a significant civil war. It follows Lord Yoshii Toranaga as he battles political adversaries on the Council of Regents, while a European ship mysteriously appears in a nearby fishing village, complicating the tides of power.
