Shogun release updates, cast, synopsis, and more to know

FX has released the first poster of their new version of the 1980 mini-series Shogun. Who stars in this new limited series and when does it release on the network? Read on to learn everything we know so far about the upcoming series.

Shogun was set to start filming in 2019, but a delay due to the pandemic force production to push this back. Filming wrapped up in 2022, so only the final touches are needed before we can check out the show on FX.

Shogun release date predictions

We’re not sure! With work still being done, our best guess is that Shogun will premiere in early to mid-2024.  As soon as FX or a trusty source shares an official release date we will update this post! That said, the network has confirmed that the show is premiering sometime in 2024. So we can rule out a 2023 release date. Check out the poster here:

Shogun synopsis

Published in 1975, Shogun by James Clavell mixes Japanese history with a drama. Set in the 17th century, the story follows John Blackthorne, an English sailor who is shipwrecked into the isles of Japan. He’s captured by the forces of Yoshi Toranaga, a powerful daimyo who soon takes a liking to Blackthorne. Before long, Blackthorne is taught the Japanese ways, becoming part of the feudal wars of the time.

The book was adapted into a hit 1980 miniseries starring Richard Chamberlain as Blackthorne and Japanese film icon Toshiro Mifune as Toranaga. This new series was ordered in 2018 and will retell the story with segments cut from the novel and more from the Japanese viewpoint. Justin Marks (Counterpart) executive produces with Michaela Clavell (the author’s daughter), Michael De Luca and Ed McDonnell. Marks and co-EP Rachel Kondo co-wrote the first two episodes. Shannon Goss, Andrew Macdonald and Allon Reich are also co-exec producers; Jonathan van Tulleken (Hulu’s Reprisal, Amazon’s Upload) will direct and co-exec produce the first two episodes.

Shogun cast

The series will star Hiroyuki Sanada as Toranaga, Cosmo Jarvis as Blackthorne and Anna Sawai as Lady Mariko, daughter of a traitor who Blackthorne enlists in his quest. The mostly Japanese cast shows the producers are serious about keeping the miniseries true to the novel.

• Cosmo Jarvis as Pilot Major John Blackthorne
• Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Yoshi Toranaga
• Anna Sawai as Toda Mariko
• Tadanobu Asano as Kashigi Yabu
• Fumi Nikaido as Ochiba No Kata (Lady Ochiba)
• Tokuma Nishioka as Toda Hiromatsu
• Takehiro Hira as Ishido Kazunari
• Ako as Daiyoin Lady Iyo
• Shinnosuke Abe as Toda Buntaro
• Yasunari Takeshima as Mura
• Hiroto Kanai as Kashigi Omi
• Toshi Toda as Sugiyama
• Hiro Kanagawa as Igurashi
• Néstor Carbonell as Vasco Rodrigues
• Yuki Kura as Yoshi Nagakado
• Tommy Bastow as Father Martin Alvito
• Moeka Hoshi as Usami Fuji
• Yoriko Dōguchi as Kiri No Kata
• Yuka Kouri as Kiku
• Yuki Kedoin as Takemaru
• Mako Fujimoto as Shizu No Kata

Shogun premieres on FX in 2024. Are you excited to watch? Keep checking back as we’ll update this post with the latest.