Emmys shockeroo! FX officially shifts ‘Shōgun’ to compete in drama races, not limited series

In a major shockeroo announcement, Gold Derby can reveal that FX is shifting the popular “Shōgun” away from the limited series races for the 2024 Emmys and will compete in all the drama categories instead. That rumor has been circulating throughout Hollywood for almost two weeks, but it is now official according to FX. How will this affect the dramatic races for series, acting, directing, writing and crafts?

Since debuting in February, the FX program has been enjoying critical raves and impressive ratings. It’s an adaptation of James Clavell‘s 1975 historical novel, following an English sailor (Cosmo Jarvis) who ends up shipwrecked in Japan. Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) uncovers secrets that could benefit him in the political wars to come as he tries to rule one of the five Regents in Japan. It features awe-inspiring production values and notable performances from Anna Sawai, Moeka Hoshi, Fumi Nikaido, Tadanobu Asano, Takehiro Hira and Yuki Kura.

From the official FX press release on Thursday:

“FX, Hulu and the Estate of James Clavell are working to extend the critically acclaimed global hit drama Shōgun, moving forward to develop the saga with two additional seasons of the drama series. 

The show’s key creative partners including Co-Creators, Executive Producers and Writers Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo, Executive Producer Michaela Clavell, and series star and producer Hiroyuki Sanada are on board for the development. Production timing has not been locked in, but a writers’ room is being assembled and will begin this summer.”

The show has been one of the Gold Derby front-runners in the limited categories of the Emmys predictions center since it launched in early 2024. It has been leading in first place for Best Limited Series ahead of “Fargo,” “Lessons in Chemistry,” “True Detective: Night Country” and “Baby Reindeer.” Sawai has been safe to be nominated as Best Limited/Movie Actress in fourth place behind Jodie Foster (“True Detective: Night Country”), Brie Larson (“Lessons in Chemistry”) and Juno Temple (“Fargo”). Also in fourth place was Sanada for Best Limited/Movie Actor behind Jon Hamm (“Fargo”), Andrew Scott (“Ripley”) and Tom Hollander (“Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”).

And now what will happen in the drama categories where very few returning nominees are available on the ballot. Both “The Crown” and “The Morning Show” are contending along with a few previously-available but non-nominated series such as “The Gilded Age” and “Slow Horses.” There are many brand new entries as well, including “The Curse,” “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” “3 Body Problem,” “Fallout,” “Hijack,” “Sugar,” “The New Look” and “Ahsoka.”

NBC aired an acclaimed and highly rated miniseries adaptation in 1980 that starred Toshiro Mifune, Richard Chamberlain, Yoko Shimada, Yuki Meguro, John Rhys-Davies and Frankie Sakai. It won Emmy Awards for Best Miniseries, Best Costumes and Best Graphic Design and Title Sequences. Along with directing and writing, it also received nominations for Mifune, Chamberlain, Shimada, Meguro and Rhys Davies.

PREDICT the 2024 Emmy nominees through July 17

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