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Hiroyuki Sanada: Embracing New Roles and Authentic Storytelling
Emmy-nominated actor Hiroyuki Sanada is eager to explore new dimensions in his acting career. The versatile performer is not only interested in taking on more dramatic roles but is also keen to try his hand at romantic comedies or even musicals.
Recently, Sanada garnered considerable attention with his Emmy nomination for his role in FX’s “Shōgun.” Many critics predict he has a strong chance of winning the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series next month. Amazed by the show’s success, which includes 25 nominations, Sanada feels honored by the recognition. For more insights, listeners can tune into the latest episode of Variety‘s Awards Circuit Podcast.
Sanada adheres to a guiding principle: “never rush.” This mantra was inspired by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the historical figure who shaped his character, Lord Yoshii Toranaga, in “Shōgun.”
In a recent discussion on Variety‘s podcast, he reflected on how this philosophy influenced his acting journey, emphasizing that he didn’t rush to achieve success in his 20s or 30s. Instead, he focused on cultivating his craft over time, seeking fulfillment in his 40s and 50s.
Sanada admires Ieyasu for ending the tumultuous Sengoku period and establishing over 260 years of peace in Japan. He draws parallels between the warrior’s legacy and the storytelling in “Shōgun.”
Based on James Clavell’s novel, “Shōgun” modernizes the story from the acclaimed 1980s NBC miniseries. The narrative unfolds in 1600s feudal Japan, featuring Anna Sawai as Lady Mariko, who serves as a translator for Lord Toranaga (Sanada) and Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), an English captain caught in the turmoil of a society preparing for war.
Beyond acting, Sanada also stepped into the role of producer for this 10-part series, a responsibility he embraced to ensure the authenticity of Japanese culture was represented on screen. He shared that simply being an actor had its limitations when it came to conveying cultural nuances.
Holding the producer title allowed him to influence various aspects of the production significantly. Sanada emphasized, “This story is fictional entertainment, based on a true story and inspired by history,” highlighting the importance of including accurate historical details to enhance the believability of the characters and setting.
His commitment to authenticity extended to costume design and language used in the series. He underscored the necessity for costumes and dialogue to reflect the era, avoiding modern influences.
While collaborating remotely during his work on “John Wick: Chapter 4,” Sanada engaged closely with the show’s costume designer, Carlos Rosario. The duo meticulously discussed everything from fabric textures to the design of traditional garments.
Additionally, the creative team, including writers Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo, sought Sanada’s input on staffing and ensuring historical accuracy. “I hired Japanese authentic samurai drama specialists for each department, and that was nice,” he notes.
Sanada addressed the series finale, which focuses on his character’s rise to lead the Shogunate rather than depicting the brutal historical Battle of Sekigahara. He expressed that opting for a less violent conclusion was a deliberate choice. “That’s the best ending for our show,” he reiterated, choosing narrative depth over action spectacle.
He also revealed that despite the emotional weight of the series, his most challenging scene to shoot was in episode 8, showcasing the depth of storytelling in “Shōgun.”
Looking ahead, Sanada shared that discussions for a second season are underway. While he hasn’t seen a first draft yet, he expressed enthusiasm for the direction the writers are taking, emphasizing the creative freedom now available as they build upon Clavell’s original narrative.
Regarding the cast, Sanada hinted at a mix of returning characters and new faces, adding to the anticipation surrounding the upcoming season.
As Sanada considers his career’s future, he is open to diverse opportunities across genres. “Comedy. A rom-com. A musical,” he quipped, revealing his eagerness to stretch his artistic range.
In another segment, the podcast also delves into the competitive nature of limited and anthology series acting categories, highlighting the current landscape of award nominations.
For more discussions, Variety’s “Awards Circuit” podcast is a go-to destination for engaging conversations about the film and television industry, featuring interviews with prominent talent and analyses of awards discussions, available on various podcast platforms.
Source
variety.com