The co-creator of the FX and Disney+ series Shogun has revealed there is another great ‘love story’ for season two.
Shogun scooped up the Bafta award for International series on Sunday, May 11, ending an acclaimed run for the Disney+ series, including multiple Golden Globe and Emmy wins.
The critical and audience praise ultimately secured the show a second run despite originally coming out as a limited series adapted from James Clavell’s 1975 novel.
Instead, the showrunners Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks are delving even further after confirming it would jump ten years in time, but revealing little else about what to expect from the uncharted territory – until now.
The historical drama follows an English pilot-major John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), who ends up in Japan after suffering from starvation aboard a ship in a Dutch merchant fleet.
Based in Japan’s 17th-century feudal era, he gains the trust of the powerful Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) and the noblewoman, the Lady Mariko (Anna Sawai).
As the season progresses, we are caught up in the intense and emotional affair between Blackthorne and Mariko, which culminates in a tragic ending when her fealty to Toranaga places her at the heart of an explosion which proves to be her demise.
Although this is the romance at the heart of the plot, as season two expands the world beyond anything we’ve seen before, Justin has confirmed there will be more love stories ahead.
Speaking to Metro and other publications after the Bafta win, Justin teased season two.
‘What we can say we’re really excited about is that there’s a ten-year time jump in part two. And just given the history that we’re working off of, I think it gives us a lot of ground to grow the show in a lot of exciting new directions.
‘What’s most important is to honour the legacy of James Clavell’s book when it comes to the characterisations and the brilliant plotting and world-building that went on and the great love stories.
‘All of these things you can expect in the next season. Especially the love story part, there’s still a good one out there.’
And when asked if fans would be shocked, Justin added: ‘Yeah, I would say so.’
So there we have it, despite our heroine Lady Mariko’s death there is still a love story that will be front and centre in the upcoming episodes. Perhaps even involving Blackthorne once more, although it’s anyone’s guess as to where that will lead.
In an interview with Metro last year, Justin revealed that the team ‘shot a number of different ideas’ for the finale, including a scene where Blackthrone strides out into the garden to meditate (which is placed elsewhere in the show).
And another featured Blackthorne looking out at the same spot in the sea as episode one, which didn’t make the cut at all.
By the end of season one, Toranaga has risen victorious and secured his place as the eponymous leader, and there is plenty of speculation that the upcoming episodes will trace the consolidation of his power.
No doubt Blackthorne will remain a prominent character, given Toranaga burned down his ship, which was his means of leaving Japan.
Hiroyuki and Cosmo are serving as executive and co-executive producers for season two.
Sadly, there is still a while to wait before we see how the plot will pan out with filming starting in January 2026 in Vancouver.
It has already been secured for a season three so there’s plenty more action to come.
Shogun season one is available to stream on Disney+ now.
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