I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Helen Jarvis, the Production Designer for Shōgun, and I came away with a newfound appreciation for the artistry behind the series. If you haven’t yet watched the podcast I host, I encourage you to do so below. It’s a fascinating deep dive into the creative process behind one of the most visually stunning shows of the last year. Plus there are so many images on the Shōgun production design and the making-of that have never been released until now.
In the interview, Helen shared her approach to designing the world of Shōgun, emphasizing the importance of balancing historical accuracy with narrative needs. She spoke about the challenges of recreating feudal Japan, particularly in ensuring that every detail felt authentic to the period. One of the most striking aspects of her work was how she and their consultant meticulously researched the era to ensure the sets and environments were as true to life as possible.
Helen also highlighted the collaborative nature of production design, explaining how her work intersects with other departments, such as costume design and cinematography, to create a cohesive visual language. She described how the sets were designed not just to look beautiful but to serve the story and the characters, providing a tangible sense of place that enhances the emotional weight of the narrative.
It’s no surprise that Helen’s exceptional work on Shōgun was recently recognized over the weekend with the 2025 Art Directors Guild Award for One-Hour Period Single-Camera Television Series for the episode “Anjin.” This award is a testament to her skill, dedication, and the incredible effort she and her team poured into every frame of the series. Listening to her speak, I was struck by the depth of thought and care that goes into creating the worlds we see on screen and how she deals with challenges– particularly with weather challenges. Shogun is a masterclass in production design, and the Shōgun team did an incredible job bringing the show to life.
The Production Design of Shōgun
In this interview, we discuss:
0:00 Introduction
01:17 Getting Started in the Art Department
06:13 Getting Involved on Shōgun
08:42 Transitioning from Feature Films to Episodic Television
13:30 Material Reuse and Creating the Ships on Shōgun
17:57 Navigating Weather Issues on Shōgun
23:11 Art, Scenic, and Construction Teams
29:36 Research, Motifs, and the Grand Scale of Shōgun
38:52 Collaborating with the Keys on Shōgun
46:51 Ceremonial Hall Transformation
48:59 The English Manor and Ajiro
51:46 Looking to Shōgun Season Two
Have you watched FX’s Shōgun? It was my favourite show of 2024. What was yours? Who else would you like to see me interview? As always, I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below.
For more interviews like this, click here.
