Netflix is charting a bold new course for its highly anticipated live-action adaptation of the popular Assassin's Creed franchise. Fresh reports suggest the series will venture into a historical era never before explored in the mainline video games: Ancient Rome.
A New Era for the Assassins
According to sources cited by Nexus Point News, the upcoming show will be set during the reign of the infamous Emperor Nero, placing the narrative between 54 and 68 AD. This period promises to introduce iconic historical figures into the Assassin's Creed mythos, including Nero himself and his influential tutor, Seneca the Younger.
The series has already cast Toby Wallace, known for his role in HBO's Euphoria, in a leading role. While details about his specific character are still under wraps, it is understood he will be part of a larger ensemble cast featuring multiple younger characters. This marks the franchise's second major foray into live-action, following the 2016 film starring Michael Fassbender.
Behind the Scenes of the Netflix Production
Helming this ambitious project are showrunners Jeb Stuart and David Wiener. Wiener, who served as showrunner for the Halo series, brings significant genre experience. The production is a close collaboration with Ubisoft, the creator of the games. Key producers from the gaming company include Gerard Guillemot, Margaret Boykin, Austin Dill, Genevieve Jones, and Matt O'Toole.
The 2016 film, set during the Spanish Inquisition and directed by Justin Kurzel, received a mixed response. Netflix's series represents a fresh attempt to translate the core conflict of the games—the millennia-old secret war between the Order of Assassins and the Knights Templar—into a successful serialized format.
The Ever-Expanding Assassin's Creed Universe
Since the first game's release in 2007, the Assassin's Creed franchise has become renowned for letting players experience pivotal moments in history through the eyes of an Assassin. The debut title was set in 1191 during the Third Crusade, following Altair Ibn-La'Ahad.
Subsequent games have transported fans to diverse locales and eras, including:
- Renaissance Italy
- Colonial America
- The Golden Age of Piracy in the Caribbean
- Victorian London
- Ancient Greece and Egypt
The Netflix series' choice of Ancient Rome continues this tradition of historical tourism, while finally filling a major gap that fans have long discussed. By integrating the era's political intrigue and famous personalities like Nero into the Templar-Assassin conflict, the show has the potential to offer a thrilling new chapter for both gamers and general audiences when it eventually premieres on the streaming platform.
