Japanese singer and actor Ren Meguro has joined the cast of the next season of historical drama Shogun, expanding the ensemble for the follow-up to one of FX’s most acclaimed series. The Snow Man member will appear in season 2 as a new character named Kazutada, marking his first major role in an international television production and signaling the show’s continued investment in Japanese talent on and off screen.
Season 2 is described as a new chapter set around a decade after the events of the first season, continuing the intertwined story of warlord Yoshii Toranaga and English navigator John Blackthorne. Production is scheduled to begin in January 2026 in Vancouver, with the series set to air on FX, stream on Hulu in the United States and on Disney+ in other territories.
The returning cast includes Hiroyuki Sanada as Toranaga and Cosmo Jarvis as Blackthorne, joined again by performers such as Fumi Nikaidô, Shinnosuke Abe, Hiroto Kanai, Yoriko Dôguchi, Tommy Bastow, Yuko Miyamoto, Eita Okuno and Yuka Kouri. Newcomers Asami Mizukawa, Masataka Kubota, Sho Kaneta, Takaaki Enoki and Jun Kunimura were previously announced.
Meguro arrives at a moment when Shogun carries significant prestige. The first season, an adaptation of James Clavell’s novel set in 17th century Japan, became a breakout hit for FX and went on to win 18 Emmy Awards, including prizes for Sanada and co-star Anna Sawai. The new casting places a rising Japanese screen star into that awards-heavy framework. Meguro debuted with Snow Man in 2020 and has built an acting résumé through projects such as Silent, Trillion Game, My Happy Marriage and Phases of the Moon, along with recognition at domestic film awards.
In a recent statement circulated through Japanese media, Meguro said joining Shogun felt like a dream after watching the series at home, explaining that he had been struck by its large-scale yet specific portrayal of Japan and felt a strong urge to take part. Producers have described the 10-episode second season as an opportunity to revisit Toranaga and Blackthorne after a long time jump, with co-creator Justin Marks saying the gap allows viewers to meet the characters again and see how a decade of political change has reshaped their lives. With Kazutada and several other new figures entering the story, Shogun’s next chapter aims to broaden its portrait of a country in the middle of a power shift while bringing a fresh wave of Japanese performers to a global audience.
