Daily Mail - Daily Mail Weekend Magazine
The inside story on... SHOGUN
When former Japanese-held prisoner of war James Clavell’s third novel Shogun was made into a 1980 miniseries starring Richard Chamberlain, it was watched by more than 120 million across the globe, making it the second-highest-rated miniseries of all time, after Roots.
Now his epic tale set in Japan has been adapted into a ten-part
Disney+ series. It takes viewers back to the 1600s, with the country on the brink of civil war, for the gripping story inspired by real-life Brit William Adams, who ended up as a Samurai warrior.
No expense has been spared on the production, which boasts rising star Cosmo Jarvis as sailor John Blackthorne (based on Adams), and an acclaimed Japanese cast.
A huge design crew worked tirelessly to turn locations in Vancouver, Canada, into feudal Japan, building castles, gardens and whole villages (one team spent three months creating 10,000 special roof tiles).
Hiroyuki Sanada takes the lead role of Lord Yoshii Toranaga, who is fighting for his life as enemies plot against him. Blackthorne, who is found marooned, reveals secrets that could change Toranaga’s fortunes and devastate his own foes, namely Portuguese merchants and Jesuit priests, who are involved in Japan’s lucrative silk and silver trade.
However, it seems that the fates of both men could lie in the hands of enigmatic translator Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai, from the BBC’S Giri/haji). She’s a mysterious noblewoman, the last of a disgraced line.
While the Japanese cast may not be well-known to viewers here, Hiroyuki Sanada is one of Japan’s top actors. His big break in Hollywood was The Last Samurai with Tom Cruise, but he’s starred in more than 50 films including Avengers: Endgame.
And this reimagining of James Clavell’s novel comes with the blessing of the author’s family. His daughter Michaela is one of the series’ executive producers and is passionate about bringing his work to a younger audience. She should get her wish with this action-packed spectacle, sure to linger in the memory long after we say sayonara to Toranaga, Mariko and Blackthorne.
The original 1980 series was watched by more than 120 million worldwide