Since the highly praised FX series Shōgun probably won’t be out until late 2027, viewers eager for historical adventures have a new option: Netflix’s Sandokan. This miniseries is quickly becoming popular with audiences around the world and in the United States.
It’s hard for any historical drama to compare to Shōgun, which many consider one of the best TV shows in decades. However, there are clear parallels between the two series: both are lavish, fictionalized stories set in East Asia and feature British sailors caught up in adventure.
If you liked Shōgun, you might also enjoy Sandokan. Fans of historical adventure shows like Black Sails will likely be captivated by this exciting story about Emilio Salgari’s famous pirate, nicknamed the “Tiger of Malaya.” Really, anyone who loves well-made period dramas with sword fights and sailing action will probably find it a lot of fun.
What Is Sandokan About?
Based on the classic novels by 19th-century Italian author Emilio Salgari, Sandokan tells the story of a Malaysian pirate sailing the South China Sea. Driven by a desire for treasure and a mission to regain his birthright as the Prince of Borneo, Sandokan embarks on a series of thrilling adventures.
Sandokan is a thrilling adventure story about a hero who frees enslaved people, falls in love with the daughter of an important foreign leader, and fights against the powerful British East India Company. Although the story takes place in 1841 around the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia, it was actually filmed in Italy, like many Italian productions.
The series features Turkish actor Can Yaman in the leading role, playing a captivating character. He’s joined by a strong international cast, including John Hannah, known from The Mummy films, and Angeliqa Devi from Those About to Die. Similar to Shōgun, Sandokan is a reimagining of an older TV show, but it successfully brings a fresh perspective to the story, moving beyond the original 1976 series.
Why Sandokan Is Already So Popular
Even though it’s an Italian show, Sandokan has quickly become a hit on Netflix, surpassing popular English-language series like Stranger Things and Run Away. It’s currently number 7 in the U.S. and could climb higher in the rankings soon.
The show’s popularity is due to a few key things: excellent English dubbing, the presence of English-speaking actors, strong recommendations after its initial Italian broadcast in December, and the current demand for exciting historical dramas on streaming services. Plus, it shares noticeable similarities in theme and style with the series Shōgun.
What Makes Sandokan The Perfect Shogun Replacement
Okay, so I’m really excited for season two of Shōgun, especially all the action! But it looks like we’re going to be waiting a while – potentially up to two years. They just started filming in Vancouver, and apparently there’s a ton of visual effects work needed, which means a long post-production process. It’s a bit of a bummer, but hopefully, it’ll be worth the wait!
With fans eagerly awaiting the next season of Shōgun, Netflix’s Sandokan comes along at just the right moment. While set over two centuries later, this historical drama shares a similar feel to Shōgun and even includes a British adventurer with a comparable character to Blackthorn – based on the real-life Lord James Brooke.
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2026-01-23 00:08