Hulu’s 10-Part Historical Epic Miniseries Is So Good, It’s Becoming A Full Series

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Since the hugely popular show Game of Thrones finished, many new TV series have tried to capture the same level of excitement and grandeur, hoping to become the next big hit. However, these shows often haven’t lived up to expectations, lacking either the detailed story or the large budget needed to bring the vision to life. Interestingly, Game of Thrones frequently highlighted how the most capable leaders are often those who don’t actively seek power, and this idea is perfectly embodied in a recent historical drama that truly deserves the comparison.

Hulu’s miniseries, Shōgun, is a visually stunning and intricately plotted drama that, despite only having ten episodes, feels as expansive as a much longer show. It doesn’t feel like it was created to simply follow in the footsteps of Game of Thrones, and that’s a good thing. This, along with standout performances from the cast, has allowed Shōgun to forge its own path, focusing on strong storytelling and beautiful visuals instead of catering to fan expectations, and it’s clearly worked.

This miniseries is based on James Clavell’s historical novel, Shōgun, which tells a fictionalized story inspired by the life of Will Adams, an English sailor who barely survived a journey to Japan during a time of political upheaval. The show stays largely true to the book, which should appeal to viewers who enjoy historical dramas, though it does make some changes. While critics have given it a very high 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the show’s true success lies in its compelling storytelling.

In 2024, Shōgun made history as the first series primarily in Japanese to win the Emmy for Best Drama Series. The show also broke records at the 76th Primetime and Creative Arts Emmy Awards, winning a total of 18 awards – the most ever for a single season of television. Given its success with both viewers and critics, it’s no surprise that Shōgun has been renewed for two additional seasons.

Viewers May Have A Long Wait For Shōgun’s Return, But It Will Be Worth It

Rotten Tomatoes recently posted a video on X confirming that work on season 2 of Shōgun has started. While that’s generally good news, considering how long it took to make the first season, fans might be waiting a while. Shōgun was first announced in 2018, filming began in 2021 (and lasted nine months), and it didn’t finally premiere until 2024.

The show’s delay is partly due to problems that continued after the COVID-19 pandemic, but other reasons also contributed. The creators focused heavily on detail and accurately portraying the culture, which resulted in a beautiful show – but it took a significant amount of time to make. Now that filming for season two has begun, it’s likely we won’t see the new episodes until 2028. However, given how rare shows like Shōgun are, season two should be worth the wait if it’s as good as the original miniseries.

The historical accuracy of the show has been a key feature, and the upcoming seasons are expected to maintain that approach. Season 2 of Shogun will reveal what happens to John Blackthorne, picking up the story ten years after the first season’s ending, which hinted he remained in Japan. While a return in 2027 has been discussed, a delay could be a positive sign, suggesting the creators are prioritizing quality and pacing, learning from the rushed final season of Game of Thrones.

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2026-05-24 22:38