HBO, the network responsible not only for some of the greatest TV shows of all time, but also for revolutionizing the fantasy genre with Game of Thrones, has a new series in development: Baldur’s Gate. Hollywood studios and streaming services have sought the next Game of Thrones for a decade, hoping to strike gold with a massive-scale, addictive speculative fiction series. On paper, Baldur’s Gate seems like the ideal candidate, providing both in-depth fantasy intrigue and a complex web of characters.
Based on the world of Dungeons & Dragons, Baldur’s Gate 3 was released in 2023 and is widely praised as one of the most immersive gaming experiences ever made, with a plethora of fascinating characters, lore, and narrative elements. There are thousands of potential outcomes that make each player’s experience unique. I personally sunk 60 hours into the game in the first few months after its release, and still feel like I barely scratched the surface of its potential. This is the type of world fans can get lost in, making it the ideal candidate for an in-depth TV series, but Hollywood’s recent track record with fantasy requires a closer look.
Can ‘Baldur’s Gate’ Succeed Where ‘Game of Thrones’ Failed?
Fantasy shows in recent years, be it The Witcher, The Rings of Power, or Game of Thrones itself, haven’t been the astounding success we’ve hoped for. Whether one likes Amazon’s Tolkien adaptation or still wants to see more seasons of The Wheel of Time, it’s not unfair to say the mixed responses these series had from the get-go limited their potential audience, a mistake Baldur’s Gate can’t afford to make. Typically, the most important indicator regarding how a project like this will develop, especially at this uncertain, early stage, is the names involved. For Baldur’s Gate, the two primary takeaways are showrunner Craig Mazin (The Last of Us, Chernobyl) and the absence of Larian Studios, the game’s creator.
As it stands, I’d consider both of these to be notable yellow flags individually, but the combination leaves an uneasy feeling. Let’s start with Craig Mazin. His work on Chernobyl and The Last of Us Season 1 proves he’s outstanding when it comes to drama, and his work on numerous comedy films suggests he can bring a whimsical tone to a project like Baldur’s Gate​​​​, which has no shortage of humor and absurdity. However, The Last of Us Season 2 is another story entirely, with its negative reception demonstrating the disconnect between adaptation and fans that often arrives when deviating too much from the source material.
Having played both The Last of Us games and seen the show, I can see why audiences were frustrated. It’s not simply a matter of changing source material; it’s about changing so much that it ostracizes what should be the primary audience, the fans. There have been some evidently positive changes in the series, particularly in its exploration of minor characters who are barely featured in the game. Does this bode poorly for Baldur’s Gate, though? It’s difficult to say. He’s not adapting Baldur’s Gate 3; he’s essentially creating a storyline for what would be Baldur’s Gate 4.
Craig Mazin is developing a sequel to a massive game, which is strange, given that it has no definitive ending to build off. There are plenty of possibilities created by the player’s choices, but it’s to be seen which direction Mazin will take and what characters he will incorporate. Is he just writing a fan fiction based on his ending? Probably not. But he’ll essentially be taking the reins for a massive world filled with beloved stories and characters that’s entirely lacking in a clear direction. This is an enormous responsibility. It’s not impossible, but it won’t be easy. Especially with Larian taking a hands-off role.
Larian Studios Isn’t Involved in the ‘Baldur’s Gate’ Series
While many have hoped for a Baldur’s Gate 4, Larian Studios appears to be done with the franchise, and they won’t be working directly on the TV series. That said, game designer, Swen Vincke, took to X to share his thoughts on the adaptation, stating, “The endings of BG3 were created so they could serve as narrative soil for new adventures. There’s plenty of directions they could go.” Essentially, this suggests that Mazin has control of the sandbox and can build his story from whichever game conclusion he sees fit.
An important, hopeful takeaway here is that Caig Mazin has reached out to Larian to discuss, and that the game developers will share their thoughts on the world’s direction following the game’s events. Maintaining some semblance of an established canon would undoubtedly boost the reactions from gamers, but this is just one advisory meeting, not a consistent connection. Only time will tell how Baldur’s Gate will pan out. Recent years in fantasy television and video game adaptations suggest that maintaining a faithful connection to the source material often leads to success. Fallout has been excellent. Arcane has revolutionized modern animation. The Last of Us had some fantastic moments in Season 1.
But without a clear path to follow, the lack of involvement from the game’s writers, and the project being so inherently massive, HBO’s new fantasy endeavor is a daunting prospect I’ll be cautiously awaiting. Are you looking forward to it, or have you already counted it out?
- Network
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HBO Max
- Showrunner
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Craig Mazin
- Writers
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Craig Mazin
