Shogun Makes History With Astonishing Premiere Numbers, Beats FX Fan Favorite Series
In a huge win for FX, the debut of the highly anticipated limited series Shogun has surged past 9 million views within its first six days of release. This means the series has made history as the number one scripted series premiere globally for Disney General Entertainment. The historical drama, based on James Clavell’s acclaimed novel, has swiftly ascended to become FX’s biggest Hulu premiere, overshadowing even the renowned The Bear Season 2.
Shogun Is FX’s Biggest Premiere
The 9 million views were accumulated in less than a week of Shogun showing on Hulu, Disney+, and Star+. To determine the number of views, the studio took the total stream time and divided it by the total run time of the 10-episode series. The results not only beat The Bear but also outperformed the inaugural season of The Kardashians, which was once the most-watched season premiere on Hulu.
Critics Have Nothing But Praise For Shogun
Shogun emerges as a labor of love from FX chief John Landgraf, who championed the project since its inception in 2018. While it may have taken six years for Landgraf’s dream to become a reality, the show was well worth the wait. Critics have lauded the series, with Variety’s Allison Herman hailing it as “thrillingly transportive event TV.”
Such critical acclaim echoes throughout the industry, evident in the series’ stellar 99 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have praised its visual richness and cultural authenticity, with Forbes labeling Shogun an “instant hit” and Empire describing it as “gripping television.” In Japan, the series has also been well-received, earning praise for its authenticity and historical fidelity from both audiences and industry figures like comedian Kunihiro Matsumura and actor Ken Matsudaira.
Shogun’s Exceptional Cast
Crafted for television by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, with Marks assuming the mantle of showrunner and executive producer, Shogun features a strong ensemble cast. Cosmo Jarvis leads the charge as John Blackthorne, sharing the screen with luminaries such as Hiroyuki Sanada portraying Lord Yoshii Toranaga, Anna Sawai as Toda Mariko, and Tadanobu Asano embodying Kashigi Yabushige.
Based on historical events, Shogun unfolds to create a story of political intrigue and cultural clash, supported by magnetic performances and lush production values. The series chronicles the convergence of two ambitious men from different worlds and a mysterious female samurai.
A Sailor, Daimyō, And A Samurai
The plot of Shogun unfolds as John Blackthorne, an adventurous English sailor, becomes trapped in Japan, a realm whose unfamiliar customs will reshape his destiny. Meanwhile, Lord Toranaga, a cunning and influential daimyō, is embroiled in perilous political intrigues, and Lady Mariko, a woman of exceptional abilities but tainted lineage, is compelled to affirm her worth and loyalty.
Artfully Blending Fiction With Historical Events
Shogun navigates a fictionalized retelling of historical events, weaving a narrative that unfolds in both Japanese and English. The character of Blackthorne draws inspiration from the real-life English navigator William Adams, who ascended to samurai status in Japan under the tutelage of the formidable daimyō and eventual founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu. Ieyasu’s reign, spanning from 1543 to 1616, serves as the basis for the character of Yoshii Toranaga in Shogun.
Source: Variety
