FX’s Shōgun gets a global premiere date for the sprawling samurai epic starring Hiroyuki Sanada, Anna Sawai, and more.
Draw your sword and prepare to uphold honor because FX‘s Shōgun is ready to reveal its global premiere date. The samurai epic starts on February 27, 2024, bringing the ten-part adaptation of James Clavell’s novel series to fans of historical drama and beyond. Shōgun goes day-and-date worldwide, debuting on Hulu in the U.S., Star+ in Latin America, and Disney+ in all other territories. The massive series begins with a two-episode premiere and a new episode each week. Fans have anticipated the Shōgun premiere date for months, and now it’s here!
Here’s the official synopsis for Shōgun courtesy of FX:
“FX’s Shōgun, an original adaptation of James Clavell’s bestselling novel, was created for television by Rachel Kondo & Justin Marks. The 10-episode limited series is set in Japan in the year 1600, at the dawn of a century-defining civil war. Producer Hiroyuki Sanada stars as Lord Yoshii Toranaga who is fighting for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him. When a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village, its English pilot, John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), comes bearing secrets that could help Toranaga tip the scales of power and devastate the formidable influence of Blackthorne’s own enemies — the Jesuit priests and Portuguese merchants. Toranaga’s and Blackthorne’s fates become inextricably tied to their translator, Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai), a mysterious Christian noblewoman and the last of a disgraced line. While serving her lord amidst this fraught political landscape, Mariko must reconcile her newfound companionship with Blackthorne, her commitment to the faith that saved her and her duty to her late father.”
The series features a highly decorated Japanese cast, unprecedented for an American production, including Tadanobu Asano as Kashigi Yabushige, a notorious backstabber and close ally of Toranaga; Hiroto Kanai as Kashigi Omi, the young leader of the fishing village where Blackthorne’s ship was found; Takehiro Hira as Ishido Kazunari, a powerful bureaucrat who is Toranaga’s chief rival; Moeka Hoshi as Usami Fuji, a widow who must find new purpose amidst her lord’s fight; Tokuma Nishioka as Toda Hiromatsu, Toranaga’s trusted general and closest friend; Shinnosuke Abe as Toda Hirokatsu (Buntaro), Mariko’s jealous husband; Yuki Kura as Yoshii Nagakado, the brash son of Toranaga with a strong desire to prove himself; and Fumi Nikaido as Ochiba no Kata, the revered mother of the heir who will stop at nothing to put an end to Toranaga and his threat to her son’s power.
Oh, hell yeah! It’s been ages since I’ve seen an honest-to-goodness samurai epic outside animation. Dripping with atmosphere and featuring a stellar cast, Shōgun could be what action fans need to keep warm during those cold winter weeks. I’m moving Shōgun to the top of my must-watch list for next year, and I’m curious to know if you’ll do the same. Let us know in the comments below.
Shōgun launches with a two-episode premiere on February 27, 2024.