Exploring the Unique Elements of FX's Historical Drama Compared to Game of Thrones Revealed by Director

Shōgun director Jonathan van Tulleken shares his thoughts on how his new show differs from Game of Thrones. The historical drama, based on a 1975 novel by James Clavell, is set in feudal Japan during the 17th century. The first few episodes of Shōgun have received positive reviews and have been compared to Game of Thrones.

Van Tulleken disagrees with the comparisons to Game of Thrones. He describes Shōgun as a "character piece" focused on political intrigue, where conversations can be just as dangerous as physical threats. He suggests that Succession or House of Cards would be more appropriate comparisons. The director also emphasizes the importance of including Japanese perspectives in the show's creative process.

Could Shōgun Continue Beyond Season 1?

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. 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.

Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Yoshii Toranaga and Anna Sawai as Lady Mariko in Shogun - Could Shōgun Continue Beyond Season 1?

Originally planned as a 10-episode miniseries, FX has not announced any intentions to extend their Shōgun adaptation beyond the events of Clavell's book. However, with the show receiving a lot of positive attention and the potential to draw from Clavell's other Asian Saga books, there might be a chance for a season 2 and more in the future.

However, if FX decides to adapt Clavell's other books, future seasons would likely have a different story and setting than 17th-century Japan. Clavell's later novels focus on European characters in various Asian cultures, even up to World War II events. His 1993 book, Gai-Jin, could be a good basis for a potential season 2.

Set 262 years after Shōgun, Gai-Jin is loosely based on a real-life incident where a British merchant was killed, leading to the Anglo-Satsuma War of 1863. The character Yoshi Toranaga, a descendant of Lord Yoshii Toranaga, could offer the same political intrigue and machinations that are currently praised in FX's new Shōgun adaptation.

New Episodes Of Shōgun Air Tuesdays On FX Followed By

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Source: Deadline

Editor's P/S:

The article provides an intriguing glimpse into the upcoming show "Shōgun" and its unique approach to storytelling. Director Jonathan van Tulleken's emphasis on political intrigue and character development sets it apart from the popular comparison to "Game of Thrones." The show's focus on conversations and machinations as equally dangerous as physical threats promises a captivating exploration of power and deception.

Moreover, the article highlights the importance of Japanese perspectives in the show's creative process, acknowledging the need to move beyond the Western gaze and tell authentic stories. The potential for future seasons based on James Clavell's other works, including "Gai-Jin," offers the possibility of exploring different time periods and cultural interactions. Overall, the article effectively sets the stage for "Shōgun" as a promising historical drama with its unique blend of intrigue, character depth, and cultural sensitivity.