Hiroyuki Sanada (Army of the Dead, Lost), Anna Sawai (F9, Apple’s upcoming Pachinko), and Cosmo Jarvis (Raised by Wolves) will appear in the limited series, which the cabler ordered in 2018. Tadanobu Asano, Fumi Nikaido, Tokuma Nishioka, Takehiro Hira, Ako, Shinnosuke Abe, Yasunari Takeshima, Hiroto Kanai, Toshi Toda, Hiro Kanagawa, NĂ©stor Carbonell, Yuki Kura, Tommy Bastow, Moeka Hoshi, Yoriko Doguchi, and Yuka Kouri will also appear in the ensemble.
Previously, Shogun was adapted into a 1980 miniseries starring Richard Chamberlain, who portrayed the story largely through the eyes of his character, an English sailor named John Blackthorne. FX Networks CEO John Landgraf stated in 2018 that the new version would explore “a whole lot of point of view that was omitted from the original series because it was thought at the time that American audiences wouldn’t want to see the story from the Japanese point of view.” And now, I believe you must present the story from both the Japanese and Western perspectives.”
Anna Sawai as Lady Mariko
Lady Mariko, the renowned daughter of a notorious samurai traitor, is recruited by Toranaga to avenge her father’s murder.
Hiroyuki Sanada as Yoshii Toranaga
As the story begins, Yoshii Toranaga is a powerful daimyo (lord) from a feared dynasty, but he is isolated and outnumbered by his foes in Osaka Castle. He is, nonetheless, an excellent strategist and master of the long game.
Cosmo Jarvis as John Blackthorne
Blackthorne, an English pilot major tasked with finding a way to the Pacific islands and disrupting Spanish and Portuguese interests in Japan. His ship ishes up on Toranaga’s shores, and the daimyo becomes both his captive and spiritual guide.
Tadanobu Asano as Kashigi Yabushige
Tadanobu Asano’s Kashigi Yabushige is the Lord of Izu in Lord Toranaga’s Kanto province. While he may serve Toranaga, Tadanobu has a propensity of switching loyalties to whatever best suits his personal interests.
Anna Sawai as Lady Mariko
Lady Mariko, played by Anna Sawai, is a well-educated, upper-class woman who is devoted to Toranaga but ashamed of her family’s history. Mariko is also a Christian who has been taught Portuguese throughout the years, which comes in useful when Toranaga assigns her as John Blackthorne’s translator.
Hiroto Kanai as Kashigi Omi
Hiroto Kanai plays Kashigi Omi, Tadanobu’s nephew who is usually working closely with his uncle. He is bright, politically savvy, and a valuable ally.
Takehiro Hira as Ishido Kazunari
Takehiro Hira’s Ishido Kazunari is the all-powerful Busho, guardian of Osaka Castle, and member of the Council of Regents. He sees Lord Toranaga as a serious threat to his position, which is why Hira feels compelled to do anything he can to remove him.
Moeka Hoshi as Usami Fuji
Usami Fuji, played by Moeka Hoshi, is Hiromatsu’s granddaughter. Her life has been marred by tragedy, but she has not allowed it to define her existence.
Shinnosuke Abe as Buntaro (Toda Hirokatsu)
While Shinnosuke Abe’s Buntaro is a strong and skillful Samurai, the same can’t be said for his home life, where he has a toxic, possessive relationship with his wife, Mariko. Despite their marriage, the two rarely get along throughout their time together.
The first two episodes of the limited series shogun will premiere on Hulu in the United States, Star+ in Latin America, and Disney+ in all other regions on February 27, 2024.