HBO Taps Craig Mazin To Adapt 'Baldur’s Gate' For Television
The mastermind behind ‘The Last of Us’ sets his sights on the Forgotten Realms for a live-action series following the events of the hit game.
Summary
- HBO has officially greenlit a live-action series based on the Baldur’s Gate franchise with Craig Mazin serving as showrunner
- The story is confirmed to take place after the events of Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3 and will feature a mix of returning and original characters
- The project marks a significant collaboration between HBO, Hasbro Entertainment, and Wizards of the Coast to expand the Dungeons & Dragons universe
HBO is doubling down on high-end video game adaptations, officially announcing a Baldur’s Gate television series with The Last of Us showrunner Craig Mazin at the helm. Following the massive critical and commercial success of Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3, the network aims to translate the complex narrative and deep lore of the Forgotten Realms into a prestige drama format. The series is being produced in partnership with Hasbro Entertainment and Wizards of the Coast, ensuring the adaptation maintains the DNA of the tabletop source material.
Mazin, an avid fan of the game who has reportedly logged nearly 1,000 hours of playtime, will lead the creative direction of the show. Unlike a direct retelling of the game’s branching paths, the series is slated to be a sequel of sorts, taking place in the aftermath of the game’s world-altering events. This approach allows the production to utilize fan-favorite companions while introducing new protagonists, following the classic D&D trajectory of low-level adventurers rising to immense power.
The production team includes executive producers Jacqueline Lesko, Cecil O’Connor, and Gabriel Marano of Hasbro Entertainment. Chris Perkins, the Head of Story at Wizards of the Coast, will serve as a creative consultant to maintain canonical accuracy within the Dungeons & Dragons mythos. While casting details and a production timeline remain under wraps, the involvement of Mazin suggests a focus on the same character-driven emotional stakes that defined his previous work on Chernobyl and The Last of Us.
The Baldur’s Gate series is currently in early development, with a release window yet to be confirmed.
