Shogun is bringing its historical English-Japanese culture clash back to television on FX.
FX is rebooting Shogun as a new 10-episode limited series, revealed the cable channel at the TCAs. The classic property first arrived in the form of James Clavell’s 1975 novel, Shogun, which was subsequently adapted by NBC as an ambitiously epic 5-episode television miniseries, starring Richard Chamberlain, which aired through the week of September 15, 1980. The miniseries was the first major production to be shot entirely on location in Japan. Conversely, the new series will film in Japan and the U.K.
Set to write FX’s Shogun reboot are Ronan Bennett (Public Enemies, Top Boy) and Rachel Bennette (NW, Bel Ami), joined by Tim Van Patten (The Sopranos, Game of Thrones), who will serve as an executive producer and direct multiple episodes. Also onboard are executive producers in Andrew Macdonald and Allon Reich of DNA TV, Michael De Luca, Eugene Kelley and the original author’s daughter, Michaela Clavell. Interestingly, Macdonald and Reich will serve as executive producers for another new FX project in the limited series, Devs.
As John Landgraf, CEO of FX Networks and FX Productions states of the Shogun reboot project:
“The story of Shōgun has captivated audiences since James Clavell first released his epic novel more than 40 years ago. The themes of an outsider encountering a new culture are as relevant today as then.”
The story of Shogun, set in the early 17th century, centrs on Pilot-Major John Blackthorne (Chamberlain), navigator of the Dutch trading ship, Erasmus, which becomes stranded on the east coast of Japan after a storm. Blackthorne, initially held captive by samurai, is forced to assimilate into Japanese culture amidst a period in which the country’s identity is rapidly changing as Catholicism makes a formidable presence, compounding the difficulty for the English Protestant. However, Blackthorne’s bravery gradually wins over the influential Lord Toranaga (Kurosawa samurai movie icon Toshirô Mifune), who bestows him property and a ranked foothold as a hatamoto (retainer) samurai. However, as Blackthorne finds himself targeted by Toranga’s enemies, he also forms a forbidden romantic relationship with his already-married (Catholic-converted,) assigned interpreter, Lady Mariko (Yôko Shimada).
The 1980 Shogun miniseries – following in the event TV footsteps of Roots and Jesus of Nazareth – was a ratings and cultural phenomenon, yielding awards season accolades in the form of several Emmy nominations, with three wins, one of which was for Outstanding Limited Series. It also procured a Peabody Award and key Golden Globe wins, notably for Best Drama Television Series and performance wins for Richard Chamberlain and Yôko Shimada. Shogun also released a heavily-edited 159-minute version for theaters, which bore nudity and non-broadcast-TV-safe violence.
We will keep you updated on FX’s Shogun series as things develop!