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Game of Thrones‘ true successor is Shōgun, and the Hulu epic series has a second season on the way. «What will be the next Game of Thrones?» people have wondered since the season 8 finale back in 2019. Alas, nothing has quite captured the political intrigue combined with the epic storytelling of George R.R. Martin’s series.
It’s possible that we’ve been looking too hard at the fantasy genre in order to uncover the next big epic series. Maybe we should widen the search to include historical epics as well. After all, Game of Thrones was itself based on a real story. If we do that, we will find the successor series: Shōgun.
What Is Shōgun About?
Shōgun is an FX on Hulu historical drama based on James Clavell’s 1975 novel, which, while not strictly historical, is loosely based on actual events and figures. The 10-episode series stars Cosmo Jarvis as John Blackthorne, a Protestant English maritime pilot who ends up in Japan at the turn of the 17th century.
Shipwrecked in the unfamiliar land, Blackthorne comes under the influence of Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), a Japanese warlord embroiled in a country-wide fight to rule over Japan. As he helps Toranaga gain control of more territory, he becomes familiar with the until-then mostly unknown Japanese way of life.
Shōgun Is The True Successor To Game Of Thrones
At its core, Game of Thrones is about the quest for power and the dangers and tragedy that the climb brings upon those who attempt it, and those who are left at the bottom. A lot of shows have tried to emulate Game of Thrones, its politicking, its widespread storytelling, and its battles.
What they all miss out on, though, is the keen insight into how power can be wielded for people’s betterment or as a dangerous, corrupting tool. In this way, Shōgun does this better than any show since Game of Thrones, revealing how, as Blackthorne and Toranaga get closer to power, they must answer increasingly difficult questions about themselves.
Shōgun Season 2 Began Production In January 2026
At first, Shōgun was billed as a limited series, and the series does basically wrap up with the same scenes that end Clevell’s novel. However, it was announced that Shōgun season 2 was on its way in early 2025, and in January 2026, it was announced that fans could expect episodes in 2027 (via TheDirect).
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Clevell did actually write more Shōgun books, but they jump decades into the future, and it sounds like FX’s Shōgun will be doing the same. It’s a dramatic and bold decision, the type that Game of Thrones was like to make. If Shōgun keeps developing this way, who knows, it may surpass Game of Thrones.
