FX has ordered Shogun, a 10-episode limited series period drama based on the bestselling novel of the same name by author James Clavell. Executive producers on the new Shogun limited series include Andrew Macdonald and Allon Reich of DNA TV (28 Days Later, Trainspotting), Michael De Luca (Moneyball, The Social Network), Michaela Clavell, Tim Van Patten, Eugene Kelly, and Ronan Bennett.
Shogun, set in feudal Japan, charts the collision of two ambitious men from different worlds and a mysterious female samurai: John Blackthorne, a risk-taking English sailor who ends up shipwrecked in Japan, a land whose unfamiliar culture will ultimately redefine him; Lord Toranaga, a shrewd, powerful daimyo, at odds with his own dangerous, political rivals; and Lady Mariko, a woman with invaluable skills but dishonorable family ties, who must prove her value and allegiance.
Tim Van Patten (The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire, The Pacific) will executive produce as well as direct multiple episodes of the series, with Eugene Kelly (Westworld, Leftovers, Boardwalk Empire) and Ronan Bennett (Public Enemies, Top Boy) writing the series. Rachel Bennette (Bel Ami) will act as supervising producer with Tom Winchester from DNA TV serving as producer. Georgina Pope (Mr. Holmes) will serve as co-producer with Eriko Miyagawa (Silence) set to associate producer.
John Landgraf, CEO of FX Networks and FX Productions, said: “The story of Shogun 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. We are honored to bring the series to today’s viewers through our partnership with executive producers Andrew Macdonald, Allon Reich, Michael De Luca, Clavell’s daughter Michaela, and Eugene Kelly. We are equally thrilled that Ronan Bennett and Rachel Bennette are writing the new adaption, and that Tim Van Patten will bring his vision and expertise to directing this saga of adventure, power and loyalty that the world has come to know as Shogun.”
Shogun, the novel, was published in 1975 and became a major bestseller with more than 30 million copies sold worldwide. It sparked great Western interest in Japanese culture. The original Shogun miniseries event premiered in September 1980 over five nights on NBC. Building on the earlier success of Roots, Shogun helped establish the miniseries as an ambitious new TV genre. It starred Richard Chamberlain as Major John Blackthorne, Toshiro Mifune as Lord Yoshi Toranaga, and Yoko Shimada as Lady Toda Mariko. The miniseries was a ratings hit and earned Emmy, Golden Globe, and Peabody awards.
Shogun will be shot in the UK and Japan and is produced by FX Productions.
