Shōgun Review: 11 Ups & 2 Downs
4. Up: The Compelling Cast
In order to sell any great character, which Shōgun has in abundance, you need good actors working at their best, and this is one show far from lacking in that department.
It's wonderful to see long-time supporting actor Hiroyuki Sanada take centre stage as Lord Toranaga, a role he sinks his teeth into without pause. This is his first lead role in Hollywood, and he captures Toranaga's discipline, fear, cunning and strength with such power you'll be begging to see the actor's next project (or seeking out old ones).
Other standouts include Tadanobu Asano, who explores Lord Yabushige's shifting loyalties with an equal mix of urgency, dark humour, and quiet contemplation, and Fumi Nikaido's mourning but unflappable turn as the grief-stricken Ochiba.
When it comes to making any show of Shōgun's monstrous scale and ambition, you need actors in place who'll capture the human drama amongst the brilliant set pieces and awe-inspiring scope. This is one cast that doesn't miss.