A Remake That Surpasses Expectations
Remakes of beloved properties rarely justify their existence. FX's Shōgun, based on James Clavell's sprawling 1975 novel and a remake of the celebrated 1980 miniseries, is a welcome exception. The 2024 series doesn't just update the story — it deepens it, centres the Japanese perspective in a way its predecessor didn't, and delivers some of the most assured television storytelling in recent memory.
What Is Shōgun About?
Set in feudal Japan at the turn of the 17th century, Shōgun follows John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), an English navigator whose ship is wrecked off the Japanese coast. He is taken in by the powerful Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), who is fighting for political survival against a council of rival lords. Blackthorne becomes an unlikely pawn — and later, something more — in a deadly game of strategy and survival.
Crucially, the show treats Blackthorne as one perspective among many rather than the central hero. Lady Mariko (Anna Sawai) and Toranaga himself are equally complex, equally important, and far more interesting to spend time with.
What Makes It Exceptional
- Hiroyuki Sanada as Toranaga: A masterclass in restrained, layered performance. Sanada co-produced the series and it shows — his investment in the material is evident in every scene.
- The writing: Patient, politically sophisticated, and free of the usual prestige TV shortcuts. The show trusts its audience to keep up.
- Authenticity: Around 60% of the dialogue is in Japanese with subtitles — a bold choice that pays off enormously in immersion and credibility.
- Visual language: The production design, costuming, and cinematography are extraordinary. Every frame looks considered.
- Thematic depth: The series grapples seriously with themes of honour, duty, cultural clash, and what it means to belong to a world with rules you didn't make.
A Few Caveats
The pacing in the early episodes demands patience. Shōgun is not a show that rushes to deliver its pleasures. If you're looking for action-heavy spectacle, the series will occasionally frustrate you — the tension here is political and personal rather than kinetic. But if you commit to its rhythms, the payoff is enormous.
How It Compares to Other Recent Prestige TV
| Show | Pacing | Character Depth | Production Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shōgun (2024) | Slow-burn | Exceptional | Exceptional |
| Succession | Moderate | Exceptional | Very High |
| The Last of Us | Moderate | High | Exceptional |
| House of the Dragon | Variable | High | Very High |
Where to Watch
Shōgun (2024) is available on FX and streams on Hulu in the US. International viewers can find it on Disney+ in most territories. The complete season of 10 episodes is available to stream now.
The Verdict
Shōgun is the kind of television that reminds you what the medium is capable of at its best. It is intelligent, beautiful, and humane — a story told with genuine craft and respect for its subject. Don't let the subtitles put you off. This is essential viewing.
Episodes: 10 | Available on: Hulu (US), Disney+ (international) | Genre: Historical Drama