Get ready, history buffs and action enthusiasts! Hiroyuki Sanada, the magnetic star of FX's 'Shogun,' is gearing up for Season 2, and the anticipation is palpable. But this isn't just a continuation; it's a leap forward, promising even more intricate strategy, heart-wrenching family drama, and, of course, thrilling action, as the story fast-forwards a decade from where we left off.
Season 1 masterfully depicted the power struggles among feudal lords in 17th-century Japan. Lord Toranaga, played by Sanada, navigated treacherous political waters and warfare, all while an English sailor found himself entangled in the complex web of conflict.
Sanada, who serves as both the star and a producer on the series, shared a glimpse into the upcoming season, telling Variety that we can expect, "a lot of action and strategy, and then more family drama coming in than Season 1."
The actor attributes the show's massive success to its unwavering commitment to authenticity. The first season was a juggernaut at the Emmys, taking home a staggering 18 awards, including Best Actor for Sanada. This impressive feat has solidified its place as one of the most decorated shows in television history.
"We try to make [it] authentic because the story itself is fictional entertainment, because we have a model from the history, but [it’s] very original entertainment," Sanada explained. "That’s why we have to make a show authentic about our culture and history. And I believe it worked. We got a great reaction from the audience and also from the critics."
This positive reception has given the production team the confidence to maintain their approach for Season 2. The series will continue filming in Vancouver, where the first season was shot during the COVID-19 pandemic. While Japan now offers generous filming incentives, Sanada notes that Vancouver provides practical advantages for the production.
“Vancouver has a nice location, and without any modern buildings or wires, no need to put CGI,” he says. “It’s hard to find a good wide location without modern buildings in Japan.” He adds that while some authentic Japanese castles, temples and buildings might be used for specific shots, the bulk of filming can be accomplished in Vancouver.
But here's where it gets controversial... Sanada sees 'Shogun' as a cultural bridge, creating new opportunities for creative exchange between the East and West entertainment industries.
“‘Shogun’ opened the door between East and West much wider, and then I believe we could create the bridge between East and West,” Sanada says. “That’s a big meaning of the ‘Shogun’ success. So I hope [that] next generation of creator and actors, it [becomes] much easier to be back and forth [between] East and West. That was my hope, and then maybe [the] ‘Shogun’ effect can do that.”
The show's global appeal, despite approximately 70% of the dialogue being in Japanese with subtitles, is a testament to changing audience habits, accelerated by the pandemic. Sanada points to the original James Clavell novel's multigenerational fanbase and viewers' increased comfort with subtitled content during lockdowns as key factors in the show's reach.
“The pandemic, so many people couldn’t go to the theaters. But they started watching a lot of different cultures [and] drama with subtitles, so that trained the audience to read the subtitles and then see another culture,” he says. “The time has changed. Audiences changed a lot these [past] few years. So all the timing matched.”
When asked what makes 'Shogun' so relevant to modern audiences, Sanada returns to the theme of authenticity. In an era where viewers can instantly fact-check content, he believes the show's dedication to cultural accuracy sets it apart.
“Nowadays, they can research everything easily. So if [there is] misunderstanding, cheating, they don’t want to see. We tried to make this show authentic, so maybe they felt, ‘Oh, this is one to watch,'” he says. “They felt even from the trailer. They felt authenticity. So that was the biggest weapon for us.”
Looking ahead, Sanada also teases his role in 'Mortal Kombat 2,' where he'll reprise his character, Scorpion/Hanzo Hasashi. He highlights the film's diverse Asian cast, including his 'Shogun' co-star, Asano Tadanobu, who played Yabushige.
“I really enjoyed the shooting. And then the whole cast is like APAC casting, so a lot of Asian actors in it,” Sanada says. “I’m happy for all the Asian actors doing well in the movie. So another appeal to the world from Asia.”
Season 2 of 'Shogun' is slated to begin filming in January.
What do you think? Do you agree with Sanada's assessment of 'Shogun's' impact on international collaboration? Are you excited about the upcoming season, and what are you most looking forward to seeing? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
