Stradh Could Be Coming to Netflix in New Ravenloft TV Series

One of Dungeons & Dragons most famous villains could finally be heading to television, with Netflix developing a live-action Ravenloft series centred on vampire Darklord Strahd von Zarovich.

The project is being written and executive produced bu John August, whose credits include Big Fish, Corpse Bride, Frankenweenie and Dark Shadows. Also attached to the project, as executive producer alongside Hasbro Entertainment, is Oscar winning filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men, Gravity, Roma).

Rather than simply adapting a group of adventurers exploring Castle Ravenloft, the proposed series appears to be taking an origin story approach. It has been described as a prestige fantasy drama combining adventure, gothic horror and tragic romance, following Strahd’s descent from tragic antihero through obsession, and ultimately into the undead Darklord who rules Barovia.

Ravenloft Origins

Ravenloft began life back in 1983 with Tracy and Laura Hickman’s classic adventure I6: Ravenloft, for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. It was so well received that I10: Ravenloft II: The House on Gryphon Hill followed in 1986, and then with Ravenloft being expanded further into an entire gothic-horror campaign setting encompassing numerous Domains of Dread and their respective Darklords. Every edition of Dungeons & Dragons has seen Ravenloft products published.

A Lot Happening In Barovia

The announcement comes at a busy time for Ravenloft. with Wizards of the Coast releasing the Ravenloft: The Horrors Within earlier this summer, Renegade Game Studios and Ravensburger both announcing new Ravenloft boardgames, next years Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons computer game being set in Ravenloft, as well as a range of other developments and products announced.

Forgotten Realms TV Series No Longer In Development

There is, however, an important note of caution before we all get too excited. Netflix’s Ravenloft is currently only in development and has not yet been ordered to series, with no casting, product date or release window. Given that Deadline also revealed that the previously announced NetflixForgotten Realms TV series is now reported to be no longer in development.

Baldur’s Gate TV Drama With HBO

Of course this isn’t the only Dungeons & Dragons TV series currently in the works, as HBO are currently working on a Baldur’s Gate series from The Last of Us co-creator Craig Mazin.

Given the number of proposed D&D television adaptations that have failed to escape ‘development hell’ over the last few years, Strahd hasn’t quite escaped the Mists yet.