"Shogun" Season 2 expands its cast once again with the addition of Japanese pop star and actor Ren Meguro.
Meguro joins the series as Kazutada. After debuting as part of the idol group Snow Man in 2020, the 28-year-old broke into film and television acting. His TV credits include overseas productions like "Silent," "Trillion Game" and "The Beginning of the Sea."
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"I am incredibly honored to join the cast of 'Shogun' season two," Meguro said in a statement. "When I streamed 'Shogun' on Disney+ last year, I was profoundly moved by the series' unique and grand portrayal of Japan, which felt different from past portrayals. As a Japanese person, I felt a compelling urge to be part of this groundbreaking production."
He added, "I am committed to honoring the legacy that so many have built before me and to carefully shaping the role entrusted to me in this remarkable series. I can't wait for everyone to see the release of 'Shogun' Season 2 and to share in this incredible journey with us."
He joinsfellow newcomersAsami Mizukawa (Aya), Masataka Kubota (Hyūga), Sho Kaneta (Hidenobu), Takaaki Enoki (Lord Ito) and Jun Kunimura (Gōda).
Original cast members returning for Season 2 include stars Hiroyuki Sanada and Cosmo Jarvis, as well as Fumi Nikaidô, Shinnosuke Abe, Hiroto Kanai, Yoriko Dôguchi, Tommy Bastow, Yuko Miyamoto, Eita Okuno and Yuka Kouri.
According to an official logline, "Shogun" Season 2 "is set ten years after the events of the first season and continues the historically-inspired saga of these two men from different worlds whose fates are inextricably entwined."
Directors Hiromi Kamata and Takeshi Fukunaga, who both helmed episodes in Season 1, return to direct for the second season. Anthony Byrne, Kate Herron and series co-creator Justin Marks are also set to direct episodes in Season 2.
Season 2 writers include co-creator Rachel Kondo, Marks, Shannon Goss, Matt Lambert, Maegan Houang, Emily Yoshida, Caillin Puente and Sofie Somoroff.
"Shogun," based on the 1975 James Clavell novel, was created for television by Kondo and Marks and is produced by FX Productions. The duo also serves as executive producers alongside Michaela Clavell, Edward L. McDonnell and Michael De Luca and Sanada. Jarvis is co-executive producer alongside Eriko Miyagawa.
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