5 Minutes
New casting brings fresh momentum to Netflix's blockbuster series
Netflix has quietly stacked another high-profile name into its ambitious live-action adaptation of Assassin's Creed. Irish actor Lola Petticrew, best known for her praised turn in FX's Say Nothing, has been cast in a supporting role alongside Toby Wallace, according to Deadline. The show is one of Netflix's tentpole projects in the action-thriller space and is adapted from Ubisoft's long-running video game franchise.
What we know so far
Assassin's Creed the series promises to explore the clandestine conflict between two shadowy orders: one pursuing domination and manipulation to shape humanity's future, and the other fighting to preserve free will. Rather than directly transplanting fan-favorite game protagonists, the show will follow original characters placed against pivotal historical backdrops where the fate of humanity is contested. Production is scheduled to begin in Italy in 2026, a location that opens obvious possibilities for visually rich historical set pieces.
Details about Petticrew's character remain under wraps. The showrunners, Roberto Patino and David Wiener, lead the writers' room, and the series stems from the 2020 partnership between Netflix and Ubisoft. With the franchise having sold over 230 million copies worldwide, expectations among gamers and TV viewers are high.
Why Lola Petticrew matters
Petticrew arrives with momentum. Her performance in Say Nothing earned an Independent Spirit nomination for Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series, and she has previous accolades including an Irish Film and Television Award and a BAFTA TV nomination. Recent credits include a lead role opposite Gillian Anderson in Channel 4's adaptation of Louise Kennedy's Trespasses, and the acclaimed film Tuesday from 2023, where she shared the screen with Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Her casting suggests Netflix wants actors with serious dramatic chops who can anchor character-driven stories within a sprawling action concept. Petticrew's strengths in tense, intimate drama could balance big set-piece elements and help the series appeal beyond the franchise's core gaming audience.
Context: adapting video games for streaming
Video game adaptations are enjoying a resurgence on streaming platforms, but they come with a unique set of challenges. Titles like Netflix's animated Castlevania and Amazon's Fallout have shown that fidelity to source material must be mixed with accessible storytelling for newcomers. The 2016 Assassin's Creed film offered spectacle but mixed critical results, so a serialized format gives storytellers room to expand worldbuilding and character arcs over multiple episodes.
Cinema historian Marko Jensen offers a measured take: 'This adaptation faces the familiar task of satisfying diehard fans while remaining inviting to newcomers. The creative team will need to honor the franchise's mythos without letting lore overwhelm character and theme.'
Production, expectations, and fan reaction
Italy as a primary filming location hints at ambitions for richly textured historical sequences, whether Renaissance, Napoleonic, or other eras the franchise has explored in the games. Fans on forums are already speculating about time periods, parkour-style action sequences, and how the series will interpret signature franchise elements like the Animus or hidden blade. The inclusion of original characters could be a deliberate move to avoid direct comparisons with particular game protagonists while still tapping into the franchise's core ideas.
Comparisons are inevitable: viewers will measure the series against previous video game adaptations and cinematic efforts. If the show leans into noirish political intrigue and tight character work, it could join the handful of successful adaptations that expanded a game's universe into compelling long-form drama.
Petticrew's casting is the second major name attached after Toby Wallace, and her credentials suggest Netflix is assembling a cast capable of both emotional nuance and physical intensity. With production slated for 2026, patience will be required, but the combination of experienced showrunners, a high-profile streaming partner, and a beloved gaming IP makes this one of the most closely watched TV adaptations on the horizon.
In short, Assassin's Creed on Netflix has the pieces to become more than a fan service spectacle; with actors like Lola Petticrew joining the roster, the series could deliver a thoughtful action-thriller that respects its source while carving out its own identity.
Leave a Comment