The director of the first Shogun TV show isn't a fan of the 2024 adaptation: "It won all the awards because there were no big shows against it"

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1980 miniseries director Jerry London airs his grievances with last year's Shogun

A close-up of a woman looking into the distance during the Hulu show, Shogun.
(Image credit: FX)

Jerry London, the director of 1980's nine-hour miniseries Shogun, has voiced his criticisms of the recent 2024 FX adaptation, claiming that it's "not entertaining" for an American audience and "difficult" to understand.

"It’s completely different from the one I did," London told The Hollywood Reporter, pointing to the renewed focus on the intricacies of Japan's complex political system in the 17th Century, one filled with warlords and regents amid the spread of Catholicism and the arrival of sailor John Blackthorne (played in the FX version by Cosmo Jarvis).

Shogun's adaptation may have wrapped up, but a second season – which goes beyond the source material – is on the way.

As recently as January, Sanada – who plays Lord Toranaga – told ExtraTV that work is underway in the writers' room and that filming could begin later this year. Though we expect one person won't be tuning in to find out what happens next.

Bradley Russell
Bradley Russell

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.