Netflix’s Assassin’s Creed Series Greenlit: A Bold Leap for the Iconic Franchise

On July 17, 2025, Netflix officially confirmed the greenlight for its long-anticipated Assassin’s Creed live-action series, a milestone that has fans of the beloved video game franchise buzzing with excitement. After five years of development since its 2020 announcement, the project is finally moving forward, promising to bring the hidden blades, shadowy conspiracies, and time-spanning adventures of Ubisoft’s blockbuster series to the small screen. With a visionary team at the helm and Netflix’s growing reputation for video game adaptations, this series is poised to be one of the streamer’s most ambitious projects yet.

A Long-Awaited Journey

The road to Assassin’s Creed’s television adaptation has been fraught with delays. First announced in 2020 as part of a deal between Netflix and Ubisoft, the series faced creative shifts, including the departure of showrunner Jeb Stuart in 2023. The 2016 film adaptation, starring Michael Fassbender, failed to capture the franchise’s essence, grossing $240 million but earning lukewarm reviews. This left fans wary but hopeful for a fresh take. Now, with the series officially greenlit, the project is gaining momentum, joining Netflix’s robust slate of video game adaptations like Castlevania, Arcane, and the upcoming Splinter Cell: Deathwatch.

The greenlight marks a pivotal step, though fans will need patience. Pre-production, casting, and filming lie ahead, suggesting a release is likely years away. Yet, this confirmation signals Netflix’s commitment to delivering an epic that honors the franchise’s legacy while captivating new audiences.

What to Expect from the Series

Based on Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed franchise, which has sold over 230 million copies since its 2007 debut, the series will dive into the centuries-long conflict between the Assassins and Templars. The official logline describes it as “a high-octane thriller centered on the secret war between two shadowy factions—one set on determining mankind’s future through control and manipulation, while the other fights to preserve free will.” The narrative will follow characters across pivotal historical events, echoing the games’ signature blend of historical fiction and sci-fi intrigue.

While it’s unclear whether the series will explore multiple eras per season—like the games’ jumps from Renaissance Italy to colonial America—or focus on a single period, the scope promises to be grand. Iconic elements like parkour, hidden blades, and the Animus, which allows characters to relive ancestral memories, are expected to feature prominently. The series’ ambition suggests a significant budget, aligning with Netflix’s investment in visually stunning adaptations.

The Creative Team

Leading the charge are Emmy-nominated showrunners Roberto Patino (Westworld, Sons of Anarchy) and David Wiener (Halo, The Killing), who also serve as creators and executive producers. Their joint statement expresses deep fandom for the franchise, emphasizing themes of “identity, destiny, faith, power, violence, and human connection across cultures and time.” Despite some fan concerns over Wiener’s Halo tenure, Patino’s work on Westworld’s intricate narratives inspires confidence in their ability to tackle Assassin’s Creed’s complex lore.

The production team includes Ubisoft Film & Television’s Gerard Guillemot, Margaret Boykin, and Austin Dill, alongside Matt O’Toole. Netflix’s Vice President of Scripted Series, Peter Friedlander, praised the team’s vision, noting their “carefully crafted epic adventure” that aims to honor longtime fans while inviting newcomers. This collaborative effort underscores the series’ goal to balance fidelity to the games with fresh storytelling.

The Stakes Are High

The greenlight comes at a time when video game adaptations are thriving. HBO’s The Last of Us and Amazon’s Fallout have set a high bar, proving that faithful yet innovative adaptations can resonate with audiences. Conversely, the 2016 Assassin’s Creed film’s failure looms large, a reminder of the pitfalls of straying from source material. Fans on X have voiced cautious optimism, with posts like “Netflix better nail the Animus or it’s over” reflecting the pressure to deliver.

The series must navigate the franchise’s rich tapestry—characters like Ezio Auditore, Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad, and Edward Kenway have left indelible marks, and the modern-day storyline involving Desmond Miles or Layla Hassan adds narrative depth. Whether the show adapts existing stories or crafts an original tale, like the Fassbender film, it must capture the essence of the Assassins’ creed: “Nothing is true, everything is permitted.”

Challenges and Opportunities

Producing Assassin’s Creed presents logistical challenges. Recreating historical settings, from feudal Japan to revolutionary France, demands meticulous production design and visual effects. The series’ potential to span multiple eras could inflate costs, requiring Netflix to balance ambition with feasibility. Casting announcements, expected in the coming months, will be crucial, as fans debate whether familiar characters or new assassins will lead the story.

Yet, the opportunities are vast. The franchise’s global fanbase ensures a built-in audience, and Netflix’s international reach can amplify its impact. A successful adaptation could spawn the broader Assassin’s Creed universe envisioned in the 2020 deal, including animated and anime series. With Ubisoft’s recent release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows in 2025, the franchise remains culturally relevant, priming audiences for this television leap.

A New Era for Assassin’s Creed

Netflix’s Assassin’s Creed series represents a bold chance to redefine the franchise’s live-action legacy. Under Patino and Wiener’s guidance, the show aims to weave a thrilling narrative that captures the games’ heart—stealth, sacrifice, and the eternal battle for freedom. As fans await casting news and a first trailer, the greenlight fuels hope that this adaptation will soar where the 2016 film faltered.

Set to join Netflix’s growing pantheon of video game epics, Assassin’s Creed carries the weight of expectation but also the promise of greatness. With its blend of historical spectacle and modern intrigue, the series could become a defining moment for the franchise and the genre. For now, the creed lives on, and the hidden blade is ready to strike—prepare for a journey through time that could change streaming forever.