Don't look now, but one of the hottest video games of the last decade is getting the TV treatment. Well, sort of. Rather than a retelling of the Baldur's Gate series, or even Baldur's Gate 3 itself, HBO suddenly and completely announced the paradigm-shifting series after Baldur's Gate 3, which will feature “new and returning characters.”
The show, which specifically takes place immediately after the 2023 blockbuster, comes via Craig Mazin. Most recently, he directed The Last of Us, also for HBO; I'm a much bigger fan of his 2019 miniseries, Chernobyl. Hasbro Entertainment, owner of the major Dungeons & Dragons license, is deeply involved.
Not adaptation, but perhaps evolution
Of course, the jury is still out on whether it will be particularly good. We know little right now; I think this will be true for many months to come. The Last of Us soared in the eyes of viewers in its first season, but its second season didn't quite reach the same heights in most minds. But Mazin's involvement is only one piece of the puzzle, and besides, we shouldn't judge people for just one project. Heck, you might be reading this and thinking, “Well, I personally loved season 2.” If so? You do it.
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It's not fair.
Deadline exclusively broke the news, including Mazin's official statement:
“After spending nearly 1,000 hours in the incredible world of Baldur's Gate 3, it is a dream come true to be able to continue the story that Larian and Wizards of The Coast have created. […] I am a devoted fan of D&D and the wonderful way Swen Vincke and his talented team have adapted it. I look forward to helping bring Baldur's Gate and all of its incredible characters to life with as much respect and love as possible, and I am deeply grateful to Gabe Marano and his team at Hasbro for entrusting me with this incredibly important property.”
Deadline's own article notes that “the series draws heavily from the Baldur's Gate 3 source material — starting where the game ends,” and then further solidifies the show's unique role with this tease: “the TV series will feature both existing Baldur's Gate 3 characters and new characters.” I hope the writing lives up to the spectacular screenwriting work that precedes it, because even if it's a few notches off, it's still going to be damn good.
Mazin hopes to find ways to bring Baldur's Gate 3 cast members into the project, though there's currently no word on exactly what that might look like. In other words, don't expect Neil Newbon as Astarion actor to take the helm. But, uh, I suppose stranger things have happened?
You can be sure that we will keep you updated on how this fascinating, completely left-field project enters active development and eventually graces our screens.
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See you soon!
