‘Shōgun’ should surpass the Emmy haul of the original
“Shōgun” is looking to become the next “Game of Thrones” Emmy sensation thanks to its similar awe-inspiring world-building combined with political machinations and stunning performances. The FX series adapts James Clavell‘s 1975 historical novel of the same name. The story follows an English sailor (Cosmo Jarvis) who ends up shipwrecked in Japan while Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) uncovers secrets that could benefit him in the political wars to come as he tries to rule one of the five Regents in Japan.
Husband and wife duo Rachel Kondo and “Top Gun: Maverick” story writer Justin Marks oversee this spectacular mini-series, which is a comprehensive, historical study that transcends world-building to present compelling characters. The expansive cast all deliver career-best work while Kondo and Marks handle each plot thread smartly and expertly.
Here’s just a sampling of the rave reviews.
Kelly Lawler (USA Today) exclaimed: “Beautiful, rich and deeply compelling, it might just scratch that ‘Game of Thrones’ itch you’ve had since the HBO fantasy folded in 2019.”
Rebecca Nicholson (The Guardian) noted: “Given that the paperback is more than 1,000 pages long, it is extraordinary that they have managed to condense it into 10 episodes. The result is peacocking, mesmerising television.”
Kristen Baldwin (Entertainment Weekly) opined: “Gorgeous and immersive from the very first frame, the new ‘Shōgun’ is a stunning epic that never lets big-budget set pieces overshadow the human drama at its core.”
Brian Lowry (CNN) explained: “FX’s updated, sumptuous version of James Clavell’s sweeping novel blends an intoxicating combination of action, romance and political intrigue, majestically spread over 10 parts that, unlike most limited series, sustain that weight and then some.”
Judy Herman (Time Magazine) observed: “At a time when so many of TV’s biggest swings, from Amazon’s ‘The Rings of Power’ and ‘Citadel’ to Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things’ and ‘The Crown,’ have yielded at least partial misses, FX’s ‘Shōgun’ stands apart as a genuine masterpiece.”
We are predicting that “Shōgun” will be nominated for Best Limited Series alongside “Fargo,” “Lessons in Chemistry,” “True Detective: Night Country,” and “Masters of the Air.” What gives “Shōgun” the edge for the win is its critical reception. It currently sits at a near-perfect 99% on Rotten Tomatoes. That is better than every single one of last year’s five nominees for Best Limited Series: “Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” (57%), “Daisy Jones and the Six” (69%), “Obi-Wan Kenobi” (82%), “Fleishman is in Trouble” (87%), and “Beef” (98%).
“Shōgun” would also fit the recent pattern of Emmy voters embracing epic historical projects and period dramas. Recent such nominees include “The Underground Railroad,” “Chernobyl,” “Godless,” “The Alienist,” “Roots,” “Wolf Hall,” “The White Queen,” and “The Bible.”
“Shōgun” is similar to “Wolf Hall,” a sweeping, political game-playing epic that tells an important historical story. And it is akin to “Roots” in that it chronicles a low point in human history with unflinching accuracy. As with “The Bible,” it sows together multiple story threads and dozens of characters.
Voters will likely recognize familiar favorites like “Fargo” and “True Detective: Night Country” but when something as awe-inspiring and, frankly, huge, as “Shōgun” comes along, they won’t be able to ignore it. The sheer scale of “Shōgun” makes it one of the most technically-impressive feats of TV making in recent history. Voters will flock to recognize that.
The international flavor of “Shōgun” also plays a part here. When a show from another country makes this big of a splash with audiences and critics, it takes on a whole new life of its own. Emmy voters will want to be a part of one of the most talked about productions of the year. They nominated South Korea’s “Squid Game” for 14 Emmys, including Best Drama Series. We expect “Shōgun” to do equally well; the original 1980 version reaped a dozen Emmy nominations and won three, including Best Limited Series.
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