A Live-Action ‘Assassin’s Creed’ Series Is Coming to Netflix

It seems like the long-awaited live-action television show based on the well-known Assassin’s Creed video game series is now in the works at Netflix, after years of postponements.

Back in October 2020, the streaming platform initially revealed plans to create a television series inspired by the popular game “Assassin’s Creed.

Over the past five years, as reported by Variety, the project has seen numerous changes in its creative direction. Currently, Roberto Patino and David Wiener have been appointed as the project’s creators, showrunners, and executive producers.

Here were Wiener and Patino’s comment on the news that show was finally happening:

Since its debut in 2007, ‘Assassin’s Creed’ has been a series close to our hearts. With each day spent working on this project, we find ourselves inspired and awestruck by the stories it allows us to explore. Beyond the vast settings, exhilarating action sequences, and parkour elements lies a core narrative that resonates deeply – a tale of individuals seeking meaning, grappling with themes of identity, destiny, and faith. It delves into power dynamics, violence, relationships, and human vices such as greed and revenge. However, at its heart, this is a story that emphasizes the importance of human bonding, transcending cultural and temporal boundaries. It serves as a cautionary tale about the potential loss we face as a species when these connections fray.

As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but reminisce about “Assassin’s Creed,” a cinematic journey that delves into the clandestine world of noble assassins across different historical eras. This intriguing tale graced our screens in 2016, with Michael Fassbender donning the lead role. The film managed a respectable run at the box office, but it was mercilessly panned by most critics (though I must confess, it’s one of my personal favorites).

The series, with its intricate lore spanning various time periods, offers a blend of historical exploration and futuristic science fiction. This complexity suggests that the franchise might be more effectively adapted for television rather than films.

As a seasoned movie critic, I’ve had the pleasure of diving into the thrilling world of Assassin’s Creed video games numerous times. Over the years, this captivating franchise has seen its share of success, with sales surpassing an astounding 200 million units!

10 Great Netflix Miniseries You Totally Forgot About

1. Alias Grace

The Netflix adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s crime novel, “Alias Grace,” might have been somewhat overlooked amidst the buzz surrounding “The Handmaid’s Tale,” but it’s definitely worth watching.

Directed by Mary Harron and written by Sarah Polley, this intriguing series boasts a predominantly Canadian cast led by Sarah Gadon. The story revolves around a notorious murderess who claims to have no recollection of her heinous act, suggesting that her body may have been taken over by the spirit of a deceased friend. Based on a true historical event, it delves into the complexities of determining guilt or innocence and sheds light on how the marginalized are often caught in the middle of conflicts. To add to its appeal, renowned Canadian director David Cronenberg makes a guest appearance.

2. Bodies

If you found “Dark” engaging, Netflix’s complex German series about time travel, you might be captivated by “Bodies,” a miniseries inspired by Si Spencer’s Vertigo graphic novel. In this intriguing tale, a corpse mysteriously shows up in four distinct time periods within London’s Whitechapel district, triggering four separate police investigations that eventually intertwine through time. The series features Stephen Graham as the head of a future military regime in United Britain, who will stop at nothing to ensure his ascension to power. It’s an excellent choice for a long weekend binge-watch, and with just eight episodes, it neatly concludes its storyline before time travel elements become too puzzling.

3. Brand New Cherry Flavor

Rosa Salazar is exceptionally talented yet often overlooked in the genre world, and the series Brand New Cherry Flavor may be her least recognized work. In this production, Salazar plays Liza Nova, an aspiring horror director who relocates to 1990s Los Angeles when a producer expresses interest in her short film. However, after she rejects his advances, he steals her project, prompting Liza to strike a deal with a local witch to exact revenge. Witchcraft, however, has its costs, and Liza becomes ensnared in the grimy underbelly of LA. The series shares similarities with the work of David Lynch, as demonstrated by the appearance of guest star Patrick Fischler, along with a procession of unsettling images and a graphic sex scene that will linger in your memory.

4. The Get Down

Although “The Get Down” was officially terminated following its initial season, Netflix has consistently asserted that the series effectively conveyed the tale of 1970s New York disco and R&B across the 11-episode two-part season launched in fall 2016 and spring 2017, thereby classifying it as a miniseries.

This critically acclaimed series, developed by Baz Luhrmann and Stephen Adly Guirgis, chronicles the journey of a gang of teenagers residing in the South Bronx during the burgeoning era of hip hop in the late 1970s. Equally a musical production as it is a dramatic series, the show features an abundance of classic and contemporary hip hop and R&B tracks, with several performances by the ensemble cast — a dynamic blend of established stars and emerging talent such as Justice Smith, Jaden Smith, Shameik Moore, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Daveed Diggs, Giancarlo Esposito, and numerous others.

5. Halston

In this narrative, I delve into the exhilarating journey of one of America’s renowned fashion designers, Halston, as portrayed by Ewan McGregor in the eponymous series. The tale unfolds, chronicling his meteoric rise from recognition to stardom, only to plummet into disrepute across the dynamic decades of the 1970s and 1980s.

Beginning with his iconic pillbox hat for Jackie Kennedy and bold Liza Minelli ensembles, the five episodes trace Halston’s career under the glaring spotlight, culminating in a poignant depiction of his dismal collaboration with JC Penney and subsequent reemergence as a high-fashion titan in the late ’80s. It’s concise, engaging, and, being Ryan Murphy’s brainchild and co-writer, it carries some of his signature flair.

6. Maniac

One of Netflix’s most daring miniseries, titled “Maniac,” paves the way for series such as “Severance” and “Devs.” In this thought-provoking show, characters become entangled in a metaphysical corporate experiment gone awry. Directed by Cary Fukunaga of “True Detective,” the series boasts Emma Stone and Jonah Hill as protagonists grappling with mental illness who join a secret pharmaceutical trial that induces shared hallucinations, ranging from a 19th-century seance to a mafia drama to a high fantasy tale. The production is both quirky and intellectual without being overbearingly sentimental, underpinned by captivating performances from the likes of Justin Theroux, Sonoya Mizuno, and Sally Field in their unconventional roles.

7. Unbelievable

Netflix’s true crime series are plentiful, but Unbelievable distinguishes itself by centering on the victims rather than the offenders. Spanning two time periods separated by three years, the show follows a woman (Kaitlyn Dever), wrongfully accused of lying about her sexual assault, and two female detectives (Toni Collette and Merrit Wever) who become embroiled in an investigation into what seems to be the work of a serial rapist. As the narratives intertwine, the series devotes significant attention to portraying the weight of victimhood and the shock of facing communal backlash for being innocent.

8. Unorthodox

In a unique move, Netflix debuted the first series predominantly spoken in Yiddish titled “Unorthodox”. This captivating tale follows the journey of one woman as she breaks free from her ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in New York, leaving behind an arranged marriage. Her destination: Berlin, where she seeks out her estranged mother and a husband who relentlessly pursues her. Lead actress Shira Haas was recognized with a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her exceptional portrayal of the protagonist Esty, a woman navigating the unfamiliarities of a secular life in a foreign country and community.

9. Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp

One outcome of Netflix’s early “let them cook” approach included the creation of the prequel and sequel miniseries for the satirical comedies, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp and Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later. These series were continuations of the 2001 film, Wet Hot American Summer, which humorously imitated ’80s teen sex comedies. The original cast members, now established stars, revisited their roles in the first installment, First Day of Camp, which depicted the mischief of both teens and counselors on the opening day at Camp Firewood in 1981 (contrasting with the original movie’s last-day setting), and Ten Years Later, focusing on the former campers’ reunion at the camp a decade later in 1991.

10. Wild Wild Country

At one point, nearly everyone seemed captivated by the Netflix true crime docuseries, “Wild Wild Country,” which stood out among all other Netflix true crime series (though they’ve produced numerous others since then). This miniseries delves into the conflicts between Wasco County in Oregon and the Rajneeshpuram community, a group adhering to the spiritual teachings of Indian philosopher Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. The show received acclaim for its balanced portrayal of multiple viewpoints surrounding a contentious yet overlooked episode in American history, painting a comprehensive picture of America during a period marked by significant social change and turmoil.

2025-07-17 17:56