Dear Gossips,
The third annual Gold House Gala happened this weekend in Hollywood. Gold House aims to celebrate and amplify creatives from Asian Pacific communities and the third annual event brought out a diverse collective of leaders and up-and-coming stars from Michelle Yeoh to Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, as we continue to mark Asian Heritage Month.
This year, the most critically acclaimed television series of the year features a predominantly Japanese cast, speaking mostly Japanese. Shōgun is going to be a huge contender at the Emmys, so I was hoping to see its two leads, Hiroyuki Sanada or Anna Sawai, at the Gold Gala but neither of them were in attendance – and just as speculation mounts over whether or not there will be a second season.
Deadline reported late last week that Hiroyuki Sanada has reached a deal with FX to return as Toranaga-sama which pretty much means that season two is inevitable, though that has yet to officially be confirmed. Should it be confirmed, however, it would mean that Shōgun would contend in the Outstanding Drama Series category at the Emmys instead of in the Limited Series category. It should be considered a favourite in either one of those categories – at this point, no one wants to go up against Shōgun.
Reaction to the news of Hiroyuki’s deal, however, has been interesting. And I understand why people are skeptical. It was a perfect first season, they not only stuck the landing on a quadruple axel, they did it with one arm in the air. Also we’ve seen Hollywood f-ck it up so many times when they try to squeeze more about of a golden egg, of course there may be some fan hesitation. I normally would feel the same way.
But I am nothing but optimistic about more Shōgun – and one of the reasons is because I interviewed Hiroyuki during the Shōgun junket and he wasn’t just speaking as an actor, he was speaking as a producer, he was heavily involved as a producer. Which is one of the reasons why the series is as good as it is. For Hiroyuki it was about telling the right story, and hiring the right people, “specialists” as he said, to ensure accuracy and authenticity on every level. Sure, this new deal is about him getting paid – and I hope he’s getting f-cking PAID – but I also believe that this isn’t just a money grab. Because if we’ve learned anything from Shōgun, there is no conversation if there is no honour.
Honour informs so much of the Shōgun narrative both on screen and off. And as Hiroyuki told The Hollywood Reporter a couple of months ago the opinion of the Japanese and core Samurai drama fans was paramount. Those were the people he was prioritising, and even in his signing another deal, I can’t imagine he would compromise those values.
On top of all that, a second season of Shōgun would mean jobs and more collaboration! Jobs for a massive crew in front of and behind the camera, much of them from Japan, collaborating with Western production and sharing and exchanging their work, their ideas, their best practices. To go back to Gold House, this is one of their primary objectives – to unite communities, from all industries, to forge relationships across cultures and demographics. Shōgun is one of the best examples we have of that kind of ambition. To me, then, the upsides of more Shōgun greatly outweigh the downsides, if there are any downsides.
As for Hiroyuki and Gold House, it would have been amazing to see him there, especially alongside Michelle Yeoh, because they are friends, ever since they worked together in 1986 on Royal Warriors. They’ve both been legends forever, and that photo would have brought me to my knees. But also, can you imagine Michelle and Hiroyuki starring in a family comedy together? As the parents of a couple getting married? But not parents of the same person – parents on opposite sides, who used to be professional adversaries. Is someone writing this because if not, I will!
Yours in gossip,
Lainey
