Meet the Power Players of FX's Epic 'Shōgun'

2023 WAS A great year for television. New seasons of heavy hitters like The Bear and Only Murders in the Building, along with the final season of Succession kept us glued to our televisions week after week. But now that we're waiting for our favorite shows to return, there's probably a void in your TV schedule, as many shows tend to return in warmer months. It's the perfect opportunity for something new to come and surprise us. FX's Shōgun looks like it could be exactly what audiences are waiting for.

Reviews from The New York Times, IGN, and Variety have been glowing for the miniseries. Based on James Clavell's popular novel of the same name, Shōgun is centered on Japan in the 1600s and tracks the rise of a feudal lord. It's a doorstopper of a novel, and encapsulates lots of characters and narratives. It's also the first chronologically in the author's collection of books in the same time period and region. Don't be fooled by the idea of Shōgun as a miniseries; there's a lot of lore and history to dive into.

So if you're ready to jump into Shōgun, you may want a study guide to get to know who each character is, and who the actors are playing them. The show will likely explain everyone well enough, but when going from week to week, it's easy to forget things. Here's a helpful guide of the main actors in Shōgun, and everything you need to know about their characters.

Hiroyuki Sanada as Yoshii Toranaga

Toranaga is a powerful man in Japan and a member of the Council of Regents, an influential group of the five strongest lords in the region. The character is based off of Tokugawa Ieyasu, an actual feudal lord. Sanada is well-known actor, starring in John Wick: Chapter 4, Bullet Train, Westworld, and more.

Cosmo Jarvis as John Blackthorne

Inspired by the English navigator William Adams, the first Englishman to visit Japan, Cosmo Jarvis plays John Blackthorne, who becomes part of Toranaga's plans to take down his rival. Jarvis is also known for starring in 2022's Persuasion.

Anna Sawai as Toda Mariko

Mariko is a high-born Christian woman who acts as aid and interpreter to Toranaga. Anna Sawai plays the character, and has recently starred in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Pachinko, and F9: The Fast Saga.

Tanadobu Asano as Kashigi Yabushige

Yabushige is Lord of Izu. Initially, he pledges loyalty to Toranaga, but secretly, he's always looking for new alliances and opportunities for his personal success. The arrival of Blackthorne intrigues him.

Asano is best known to Western audiences for his recurring role as Hogun in Thor and Thor: Ragnarok, although the actor has had a successful career in Japan as well.

Takehiro Hira as Ishido Kazunari

The main antagonist of the novel, Kazunari views Toranaga as a threat and wants him removed from the Council of Regents, in which they both are members. Hira has recently starred in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and Gran Turismo.

Tommy Bastow as Father Martin Alvito

Bastow plays a Portugese Jesuit priest. He serves as a translator for the Council of Regents, and a mediator between the Portuguese and Japanese leaders in the region. Bastow is an English actor, who first began his career in 2008.

Fumi Nikaido as Ochiba No Kata

Ochiba No Kata is the mother of the Heir, who is the son of the founder of the Council of Regents. Her loyalty only lies with herself and her son, and she'll do anything to keep her child safe. Nikaido is an actress and model, and has appeared in film and television since 2009.

You Might Also Like

• The Best Hair Growth Shampoos for Men to Buy Now

• 25 Vegetables That Are Surprising Sources of Protein