FX’s latest series,Shogun, has been making waves since its debut, drawing comparisons to some of television’s most iconic shows. However, the show’s director, Jonathan van Tulleken, has offered a different perspective on these comparisons, aligning Shogun more closely with the likes of HBO’s Succession and Netflix’sHouse of Cardsthan withGame of Thrones.
“Truly it is a character piece and it is about this intrigue. This is a dangerous world where violence can come out of nowhere but the real danger is in the machinations. A conversation can be as dangerous as anything else.A better comparison [than Game of Thrones] would be Succession or House of Cards.”
In a BBC interview (viaDeadline), van Tulleken shed light on what sets Shogun apart from other historical dramas. While acknowledging the spectacle of the series, he emphasized its focus on character development and political intrigue. This approach positions Shogun as a nuanced exploration of power dynamics, where conversations carry as much weight as physical confrontations. Van Tulleken said:
“This is made hand in hand with the Japanese because it is a story about two cultures encountering each other and seeing ourselves in each other. We are way past [the western gaze] in terms of audience sophistication and the stories we want to tell. What we really want to tell is a story of political intrigue, imprisonment and entrapment.”
The director also highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, which was developed hand in hand with a Japanese team. This partnership allowed the show to transcend the typical “western gaze,” offering a more authentic and respectful portrayal of the cultural encounter at the heart of the story. Van Tulleken’s vision for Shogun is to present a narrative that delves into political intrigue, imprisonment, and entrapment, moving beyond the conventional boundaries of historical drama.
FX’s Shogun: Release Date, Plot, Cast, Reviews and Everything Else We Know
FX’s Shogun, starring Hiroyuki Sanada, is taking viewers back to feudal Japan. Here’s everything we know about the series.
The series is based on James Clavell’s 1975 novel and follows the precedent set by a 1980 TV adaptation. The cast ofShogunincludesHiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, Tadanobu Asano, Takehiro Hira, Tommy Bestow, and Fumi Nikaido. Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks created the show, with van Tulleken directing the first two episodes. He is also set to direct the upcoming Blade Runner 2099 for Amazon.
Shogun’s Commitment to Character-Driven Storytelling and Cultural Exchange
As for the future of the series, it remains unclear whether Shogun will be a limited series or if it will extend beyond its current run. The original adaptation was a limited series, and executive producer Michael Clavell hinted at the possibility of more episodes if there is sufficient demand from the audience. However, Justin Marks, another executive producer, suggested that the show already tells a complete story, closely following the narrative arc of Clavell’s novel. Marks expressed hope that fans of the book would appreciate the faithful adaptation, particularly the “surprising” and “beautifully ambiguous” ending.
Shogun is currently available for streaming on Hulu.
Shogunoffers viewers a distinctive blend of historical dramaand political intrigue. The series stands out for its emphasis on character-driven storytelling and its commitment to portraying a nuanced and respectful representation of cultural exchange. As viewers continue to discoverShogun, it remains to be seen how the series will be remembered in the annals of television history. However, one thing is clear: Shogun is a show that refuses to be confined to the typical tropes of its genre, instead carving out its own unique space in the landscape of contemporary television.
