FX Reveals 'Shogun' Season 2 Plot as Key Leads Return

FX has officially confirmed that Shōgun is returning for Season 2, along with the start date of production. The 2024 series, which took more than a decade to bring to fruition, was FX's crown jewel when it finally arrived — a series that fully embodied the network's commitment to deeply layered storytelling and creating series that are authentic to the culture they purported to represent. The series ratings reflected Shogun's excellence, becoming one of the most-watched series from Disney's high-end niche network of all time. 

Naturally, despite the show's initial plan to be a limited series, this meant a renewal for some kind of follow-up, either continuing to adapt author James Clavell's Asian Saga novels (Book 2 moves the story to 1840s Hong Kong) or continuing the story at hand, set in 1600s Japan. FX confirmed it was working with the Clavell Estate to bring the show back after Season 1 concluded, but did not specify which direction it was planning to pursue

However, with the second season of the hit historical drama now slated to begin production in January 2026, FX has revealed that the plan will be to continue the story of John Blackthorne in feudal Japan, and that both Cosmo Jarvis, who played Blackthorne in Season 1, and  Hiroyuki Sanada who starred in the series as Lord Yoshii Toranaga, will both reprise their roles for Season 2.

Here is the Season 2 synopsis, which primarily serves as a summary of Season 1.

In the first season, Lord Yoshii Toranaga fought for his survival as his enemies in the Council of Regents united against him. When a mysterious European ship was found marooned in a nearby village, its English pilot John Blackthorne shared vital strategic secrets with Toranaga that tipped the scales of power in his favor to win a century-defining civil war.

Part two of Shōgun is set ten years after the events of the first season and continues the historically-inspired saga of these two men from different worlds whose fates are inextricably entwined.

Jarvis and Sanada are the only cast confirmed to return for Season 2, but with filming still six months out, that is expected to be remedied in due course.

Series creators Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks return to lead production on Season 2. According to FX, the two have spent the last year leading a writers’ room devoted to creating a wholly original new chapter to Clavell’s famous novel. Notably, Sanada has been elevated to Executive Producer for the second season, with Jarvis serving as Co-Executive Producer alongside Kondo, Marks, and the executive team from Season 1, which includes Michaela Clavell, Edward L. McDonnell, and Michael De Luca.

Shogun continues to hold the record as the most-watched series in FX’s history. Season 1 (for those who haven’t watched it yet) is available with all episodes on Hulu, under the Hulu tile on Disney+, in the U.S., and on Disney+ in all other regions. Season 2 is set to begin filming in January 2026 and is expected to premiere on FX, Disney+, and Hulu in early 2027.