FX has set a production start date for the second season of Shōgun, with filming scheduled to begin in January 2026 in Vancouver. The announcement confirms the continuation of the Emmy-winning historical drama after the network previously disclosed development plans for two more seasons.
Series creators Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks recently completed the writers room for season two, which is described by FX as a new chapter that will unfold ten years after the events of the first season. While the original installment was based on James Clavell’s 1975 novel, the new season will tell an original story that draws from unused elements and characters from the book.
Returning to lead the cast are Hiroyuki Sanada and Cosmo Jarvis. Sanada, who earned the Emmy for Lead Actor in a Drama for his role as Lord Yoshii Toranaga, will also serve as an executive producer. Jarvis returns as English sailor John Blackthorne and will be credited as a co-executive producer. No other casting has been confirmed.
FX stated that the upcoming season will continue to follow Toranaga and Blackthorne, two characters from different parts of the world whose lives remain closely connected. The network emphasized that the show will remain grounded in a historically inspired setting.
The first season centered on Blackthorne’s shipwreck off the coast of Japan and his integration into a society on the brink of civil war. Toranaga, facing internal opposition from the Council of Regents, used Blackthorne’s presence and knowledge to strengthen his position. The season concluded with both men surviving, while major characters played by Anna Sawai and Tadanobu Asano did not.
Production will stay in Vancouver, where the original season was filmed. Although a move to Japan had been considered, FX chairman John Landgraf said that logistical challenges made such a relocation impractical. He cited the limitations of existing infrastructure and the difficulty of recreating feudal Japan in locations that are now protected or altered beyond recognition.
“The scale of the production we’ve built is difficult to match elsewhere,” Landgraf said in an earlier interview, referring to the difficulties of finding suitable facilities and locations in Japan.
Landgraf also noted that FX has not committed to producing a third season, though discussions remain open. While early development included a vision for three seasons, the network has held off on making firm decisions beyond the second. He said the production team believes the material could support that length, but a third installment will depend on future outcomes.
Sanada’s agreement to return was key to moving the series forward. His involvement was confirmed in May 2024, which allowed FX to begin formalizing plans for season two. Jarvis followed with his own deal to return, joining the producing team in the process.
The production team will remain consistent with season one. Kondo and Marks return as executive producers alongside Michaela Clavell, Edward L. McDonnell, and Michael De Luca. FX Productions continues as the studio behind the series.
The first season of Shōgun became the most-watched show in FX history and streamed on both Hulu and Disney+. It stayed on Nielsen’s streaming charts for ten consecutive weeks, with more than 4.27 billion minutes viewed during that time. Additional viewership data following its exit from the top ten has not been released.
In terms of awards, the series earned 18 Emmy wins, setting a new record for most Emmys won by a single season of television. It was also FX’s first recipient of the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series. Sanada became the first Japanese actor to win Lead Actor in a Drama Series, while Sawai became the first actress of Asian descent to win in the Lead Actress category.