Netflix is developing a live-action Dungeons & Dragons Ravenloft series centred on the origin of vampire Darklord Strahd von Zarovich. The gothic-horror show is being made with Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro Entertainment, with Corpse Bride writer John August creating the series and Alfonso Cuarón among its executive producers. IGN reported the project, while Variety supplied the development details.
Dungeons & Dragons Ravenloft follows Strahd’s transformation
The series is described as a prestige fantasy drama mixing adventure with gothic horror and tragic romance. Its story will follow Strahd’s path from tragic antihero to one of the most recognisable villains in Dungeons & Dragons, covering the power, love, obsession and undead transformation behind his creation.
That gives the project a narrower starting point than a general party-based D&D adventure. Strahd is the central figure of Ravenloft, a setting built around gothic domains ruled by powerful supernatural villains. The series will have a specific monster at the centre before anyone has to explain why the party keeps splitting up.
The Netflix series replaces Forgotten Realms
The new show follows an earlier live-action Dungeons & Dragons project based on the Forgotten Realms setting. Deadline reported that Netflix’s Forgotten Realms series is no longer moving forward and that Ravenloft is a new project rather than a continuation of that version.
The earlier series was developed with Stranger Things producer Shawn Levy and writer Drew Crevello. Ravenloft instead comes from August, Cuarón and Hasbro Entertainment. No cast, episode count, release date or confirmed Netflix launch window has been announced.
The announcement follows Wizards of the Coast’s release of Ravenloft: The Horrors Within, an expanded version of the setting released earlier this year. The series is also separate from the 2023 film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, although both draw from the wider tabletop franchise. Our earlier report on the Dungeons & Dragons sequel covers the film’s separate development troubles.
What we know about the Dungeons & Dragons Ravenloft series
Netflix has not announced when the series will begin production or stream. It has also not confirmed who will play Strahd, how closely the show will follow the character’s established history, or whether other Ravenloft domains will appear.
The previous film’s directors have continued to discuss a possible sequel, but this television project is its own adaptation. For now, the confirmed material is a live-action Ravenloft story about Strahd’s origin, with August writing and Cuarón executive producing.
What is Netflix’s Dungeons & Dragons Ravenloft series about?
It is an origin story about Strahd von Zarovich and his transformation from a tragic antihero into the vampire Darklord of Ravenloft.
Who is making the Dungeons & Dragons Ravenloft series?
John August is creating the series. Alfonso Cuarón, Hasbro Entertainment executives and Esperanto Filmoj’s Gaby Rodriguez are among the executive producers.
When will the Dungeons & Dragons Ravenloft series be released?
Netflix has not announced a production schedule, cast, release date or streaming window.
