PREMIERES Tuesday, Feb. 27, 10/9c, FX
This beautifully shot and acted reboot of 1980’s—based on the James Clavell bestseller about John Blackthorne, a British ship pilot marooned in early 17th century feudal Japan—is “very true to the book and authentic to the times,” assures executive producer Michaela Clavell, the late author’s daughter. The story, told over 10 episodes: Blackthorne (British actor Cosmo Jarvis of ) finds himself in the middle of an imminent war between ambitious samurai clans led by the wise Lord Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada, ) and the faithless Lord Kazunari (Takehiro Hira). There’s plotting and bloodshed aplenty, but the forbidden love between Blackthorne and the stunning translator Lady Mariko (Anna Sawai, ), a married Catholic noblewoman, is still the show’s beating heart.