FX Orders Shōgun Limited Series Based On James Clavell Novel – TCA
FX is bringing back Shōgun to the small screen. In what the network describes as In its largest inte..
FX is bringing back Shōgun to the small screen. In what the network describes as In its largest international scale production to date, it has given a 10-episode order to a limited series period drama based on James Clavells best-selling novel. The book previously spawned a miniseries on NBC, which aired over five nights in 1980, starring Richard Chamberlain, Toshiro Mifune and Yoko Shimada, earning multiple Emmys, Golden Globes and a Peabody award.
The FX series has had a blinking green light for more than seven months as the network worked on figuring out logistics for the ambitious project.
“The story of Shōgun has captivated audiences since James Clavell first released his epic novel more than 40 years ago,” said John Landgraf, CEO of FX Networks and FX Productions. “The themes of an outsider encountering a new culture are as relevant today as then. We are honored to bring the series to todays viewers through our partnership with executive producers Andrew Macdonald, Allon Reich, Michael De Luca, Clavells daughter Michaela, and Eugene Kelly. We are equally thrilled that Ronan Bennett and Rachel Bennette are writing the new adaption, and that Tim Van Patten will bring his vision and expertise to directing this saga of adventure, power and loyalty that the world has come to know as Shōgun.”
Set in feudal Japan, Shōgun charts the collision of two ambitious men from different worlds and a mysterious female samurai: John Blackthorne, a risk-taking English sailor who ends up shipwrecked in Japan, a land whose unfamiliar culture will ultimately redefine him; Lord Toranaga, a shrewd, powerful daimyo, at odds with his own dangerous, political rivals; and Lady Mariko, a woman with invaluable skills but dishonorable family ties, who must prove her value and allegiance.
Shōgun, the novel, was published in 1975 and became a major best-seller with more than 30 million copies sold worldwide. It sparked great Western interest in Japanese culture. Building on the earlier success of Roots, Shōgun helped establish the miniseries as an ambitious new TV genre. It also became a big global hit, drawing strong audiences around the world.
Andrew Macdonald and Allon Reich of DNA TV (Ex Machina, 28 Days Later, Trainspotting), Michael De Luca (Moneyball, The Social Network), and Michaela Clavell will serve as Executive Producers along with Tim Van Patten (The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire, The Pacific), who will direct multiple episodes of the series, Eugene Kelly (Westworld, Leftovers, Boardwalk Empire), and Ronan Bennett (Public Enemies, Top Boy), who will write the series. Rachel Bennette (NW, Bel Ami) is also onboard as Supervising Producer. Tom Winchester from DNA TV will serve as a producer on the series. Georgina Pope (Mr. Holmes, Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter) will serve as Co-Producer and Eriko Miyagawa (Silence) as Associate Producer. Shōgun will be shot in the UK and Japan and produced by FX Productions.
De Luca is represented by CAA and Tara Kohl; Clavell is represented by CAA and Jay Kramer; Bennett is represented by CAA and Charles Collier; and Van Patten and Kelly are represented by CAA.
