Shōgun: The True Successor To Game Of Thrones With Season 2 Coming To Hulu

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Many have been searching for a show to fill the void left by the end of Game of Thrones in 2019, but nothing has quite measured up – until now. Shōgun, the epic series on Hulu, is being hailed as its true successor, and a second season is already planned. It successfully combines complex political maneuvering with a sweeping, grand-scale story, much like George R.R. Martin’s original series.

We might be too focused on fantasy when searching for the next great epic series. Perhaps we should also consider historical dramas – after all, Game of Thrones drew inspiration from real events. If we broaden our scope, the next big series becomes clear: Shōgun.

What Is Shōgun About?

Shōgun is a historical drama series on FX and Hulu, inspired by James Clavell’s 1975 novel. Though not a completely accurate portrayal of history, the story draws from real events and people. The show, which has 10 episodes, follows John Blackthorne, played by Cosmo Jarvis, an English sailor who arrives in Japan around 1600.

After being shipwrecked in Japan, Blackthorne finds himself drawn into the world of Lord Toranaga, a powerful leader fighting for control of the country. As Blackthorne assists Toranaga in expanding his power, he begins to learn about Japanese culture and customs, which were previously foreign to him.

Shōgun Is The True Successor To Game Of Thrones

Let me tell you, Game of Thrones really dug into the brutal side of wanting power – not just the glory, but all the pain, loss, and terrible choices people make to get it, and the impact on everyone else. It’s a show that’s influenced so many others, with its complex political maneuvering, sprawling storylines, and, of course, those epic battles. You can feel its impact on pretty much anything trying to do similar things now.

Many shows overlook the subtle understanding of how power can be used to help people or, conversely, become destructive and corrupt. Shōgun excels at portraying this – even more so than Game of Thrones – by showing that as characters like Blackthorne and Toranaga gain influence, they’re forced to confront challenging truths about their own values and motivations.

Shōgun Season 2 Began Production In January 2026

Originally, Shōgun was planned as a single season, and the finale closely follows the ending of James Clavell’s book. However, a second season was announced for early 2025, with recent updates (January 2026, according to TheDirect) indicating it will now premiere in 2027.

While Clevell wrote additional books in the Shōgun series, they were set many years later, and the new FX Shōgun appears to be doing the same. This is a daring and significant creative choice, similar to what Game of Thrones often did. If Shōgun continues on this path, it has the potential to become even more successful than Game of Thrones.

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2026-01-10 21:18