Shōgun, the bestselling James Clavell novel (written in 1975, and sold move than 15 million copies by 1990) is to be made as a limited series

Deadline has revealed details of casting for this new version of Shōgun (we had an excellent version in 1980), with Cosmo Jarvis (Lady Macbeth) and Hiroyuki Sanada (The Twilight Samuari, Army of the Dead) taking two of the three lead parts. If you’ve not read Clavell’s somewhat large (and highly recommended novel), an extensive summary of the plot is available on wiki, but the essentials are:

A sailer, John Blackthorne (Javis) arrives in feudal Japan c 1600, intent on disrupting their relations with Portugal. He is shipwrecked, and ends up with the name Anjin (meaning Pilot), and is referred to colloquially as Anjin-san for most of the novel.

His path intersects with Lord Toranaga (Sanada), a daimyo with ambition (the daimyo were feudal lords who reported to the Shōgun). There’s also the as yet uncast role of Lady Mariko. The story is an excellent blend of intrigue against a backdrop of clashing cultural values.

The 1980 version starred Richard Chamberlain, Toshiro Mifune and Yoko Shimada as Blackthorne, Toranaga and Mariko. Chamberlain was famed for playing the role of Dr Kildare, then went on to star in two well-received mini-series: Shōgun and The Thorn Birds. He was also the first to play Jason Bourne in the 1988 made-for-TV movie The Bourne Identity [#TriviaFactOfTheDay].

The new series is being written by husband and wife team Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo. Marks executive produces with late author Clavell’s daughter, Michaela Clavell. Kondo co-executive produces. Filming is expected this summer.