HBO has picked up Baldur’s Gate 3 to create a live-action series. It will be the first live-action series to take place directly within the world of Dungeons & Dragons, which is pretty exciting. More exciting, the series has Craig Mazin at the helm. With titles such as The Last of Us and Chernobyl under his belt, he’s a worthy adversary to take one the challenge. There’s only one detail making fans weary: Larian Studios, the studio behind Baldur’s Gate 3, is not directly involved in the show’s creation. Baldur’s Gate 3 star Neil Newbon tells those fans to calm down and give the series time.
HBO’s live-action Baldur’s Gate series is currently years away. Rather than simply adapt the fantasy game, it will expand deeper into the universe. Other than that, we don’t know much. Considering Larian Studios’ absence in the series’ creation, it’s a valid concern for fans to be a little apprehensive. For an IP as well-loved as Baldur’s Gate, we want it done right. But, again, the show is a ways away. Neil Newbon, the voice actor behind Astarion in the game, cautions those who are upset to give the series time.
“I really hope people give them space to make the show that they want to make,” Newbon said. “It’s really important that artistic endeavours are left to cook. What they’ll do with it, who knows? But he’s [showrunner Craig Mazin] an amazing writer. I think he’s a great showrunner as well. I think Chernobyl is a great example of how good his writing is, man.”
He brings up a fair point. There are many instances of fans preemptively judging game-to-screen or book-to-screen adaptations and then loving them. For example, Fallout faced heavy skepticism before becoming a huge hit on Prime—one of the streamer’s most successful series, even. And we get it. Not every adaptation is successful, and devoted fans really want things to be good. Skepticism is inevitable, but it’s also sensible to hold off on forming strong opinions until after something is out. At least that’s what Newbon thinks.
“Let them cook, man,” Newbon said. “Let them do their thing and enjoy it.”
Regardless, there’s always going to be at least one person out there who has their opinions. We’re choosing to hold our reactions until after HBO does their thing. A reminder that Craig Mazin is the one cradling Baldur’s Gate 3 in his hands. Those are some pretty good hands. So far, there’s no slated release date for the live-action Baldur’s Gate 3 series. In the meantime, let’s sit back and let the creatives handle it.