How Shogun Season 2 Will Continue Beyond Original Adaptation Source Material Explained By Showrunners

Shōgun showrunners Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo break down how season 2 will move beyond the source material. Shōgun season 1 adapts James Clavell's 1975 novel of the same name and covers the source material in its entirety. However, critical acclaim and the series becoming a record-breaking streaming hit led to Shōgun season 2 and 3 being greenlit. While this expansion is promising, it poses new challenges without having a story to directly adapt.

While speaking with Empire Magazine, Marks and Kondo explain how they are approaching season 2 without having source material to rely on. They discuss how season 2 is already more challenging because of this, but how it is feasible because of the opportunity to explore more characters and ideas from Clavell's original novel and from season 1. They also tease that they are on the precipice of figuring out the endgame for the new season. Check out their comments below:

Justin Marks: It's so much harder. Rachel Kondo: Thank goodness we're doing this more difficult part for the second season, because what we're more comfortable with this time around is the creative chaos of it all. Whereas in the beginning, that chaos was disorienting and daunting. We're still daunted, but we know at some point, things fall into place. We hope. Marks: We're almost done with our first real break to the end of what the story is. I'm so grateful for the foundation that Clavell established. There are always these moments where we're like, "What are we missing?" You just pick up the book and it's like, "Oh, this guy. I forgot about this guy. We never used this guy in the first season." I am so excited by what we've been coming up with.

What This Means For Shōgun

Shōgun's Showrunners Are Taking The Time To Get Seasons 2 And 3 Right

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Despite the deeply satisfying nature of Shōgun season 1's ending, Marks and Kondo are still finding meaningful ways to expand the story in seasons 2 and 3. Given the high quality of season 1, it comes as no surprise that they are taking their time to ensure that they get the story right and provide a followup to the rewarding first season. Now that they have the experience of making season 1, they are better equipped to create the next stage of the story, which is still grounded in Clavell's original novel.

Related Shogun’s 15 Biggest Changes From The Book FX's Shogun is an adaptation of James Clavell's popular novel of the same name. The show has changed many significant parts of the book.

With Marks and Kondo still developing the story for Shōgun seasons 2 and 3, the next installments of the hit series are likely years away from being released. Season 1 became a hit because of the series' high quality, though. Since seasons 2 and 3 do not have any source material to draw from, they may need even more time than season 1 did to come to fruition. The stellar reviews for Shōgun season 1 add pressure to make seasons 2 and 3 live up to high expectations.

The Series' Future Looks Promising

When Shōgun was first announced to be getting more seasons, I was skeptical, and concerned about the nearly flawless first season being needlessly extended. Marks and Kondo's comments assuage some of these concerns, and I am relieved that they are taking the time to make sure they get the story right. Shōgun is a series that I am willing to wait years to see continue, as a rushed continuation could tarnish the legacy of a series that was among the best to be released in 2024. Fortunately, season 2 is poised to be a worthy extension of the story.

Source: Empire Magazine