Shawn Levy and Netflix Team Up for a New Dungeons & Dragons Live-Action Series
Netflix is expanding its fantasy lineup with an ambitious new live-action series based on Dungeons & Dragons. Titled The Forgotten Realms, the series will explore the richly detailed world of Faerûn, including iconic locations like the Sword Coast, Icewind Dale, and Baldur’s Gate. This project follows a previous attempt by Paramount+, which was ultimately shelved. Now, Hasbro has teamed up with Netflix to bring the beloved tabletop game to life in a fresh and exciting way.
A major force behind this adaptation is Shawn Levy, a highly regarded filmmaker known for his work on Deadpool & Wolverine and Stranger Things. Levy will serve as an executive producer, bringing his expertise in crafting blockbuster entertainment to this fantasy epic. His ongoing collaboration with Netflix makes him a familiar name for fans of the platform’s genre-driven content.
Writing and showrunning duties fall to Drew Crevello, best known for his work on Apple TV+’s WeCrashed. Crevello has already completed the pilot script, signaling promising progress for the series. His involvement points to a compelling narrative approach that could successfully bring the Dungeons & Dragons universe to modern TV audiences.
Netflix’s investment in The Forgotten Realms aligns with its broader focus on fantasy and gaming-inspired content. The company is already working with Wizards of the Coast on an upcoming Magic: The Gathering animated series, helmed by Terry Matalas of Star Trek: Picard fame. Now, with this live-action adaptation of Dungeons & Dragons, Netflix is reinforcing its commitment to epic storytelling.
The timing of this project is significant, as tabletop role-playing games have surged in mainstream popularity. The 2023 release of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves was widely praised, proving that the franchise has strong potential in film and television. While Netflix’s series won’t be connected to that movie, it represents yet another effort to bring the world of D&D to life on screen.
Originally, Hasbro had partnered with Paramount+ for a live-action Dungeons & Dragons series. Rawson Marshall Thurber, known for Red Notice, was attached as the showrunner, with Drew Crevello also involved at the time. However, after Hasbro sold its entertainment division eOne to Lionsgate, the project was scrapped due to shifting priorities. With Netflix now taking the lead, fans have renewed hope for a successful adaptation.
At this stage, The Forgotten Realms is still in early development, and Netflix has not announced an official release date. However, with the involvement of major industry names like Shawn Levy and Drew Crevello, expectations are running high. Many fans are curious to see whether the show will remain a single, contained series or serve as the foundation for a larger Dungeons & Dragons television universe.
This new project underscores Netflix’s ability to take on large-scale, immersive storytelling, making it an exciting prospect for fantasy enthusiasts. If executed well, The Forgotten Realms could become a landmark series, delivering a faithful yet innovative take on the world of Dungeons & Dragons. Fans of the game and general fantasy lovers alike will certainly be keeping a close eye on developments in the months ahead.
