Netflix’s Assassin’s Creed is officially set in ancient Rome

Netflix has finally confirmed what Assassin's Creed series fans have suspected for months — the TV adaptation of Ubisoft's cult game will be set in ancient Rome, specifically in the year 64 AD. This is not a random decision. The choice of this specific period and location opens up broad narrative possibilities for the creators, while also representing a return to one of the franchise's fan-favorite eras. Production is already in full swing, and Netflix has announced the full cast — information that has moved the project from rumor status to reality.

It's worth noting that Netflix is not attempting to directly adapt any of the existing games in the series. Instead, Ubisoft and Netflix have decided on the path of an original story that, while set in the Assassin's Creed universe, offers a new perspective on the eternal conflict between the Assassin Brotherhood and the Templar Order. This approach may have proven much wiser than a direct adaptation of any of the titles, especially considering the difficulties that previous attempts to bring video games to the screen have encountered.

Rome in 64 AD — why this era?

The choice of Rome under Nero's reign is a decision full of symbolism and dramatic possibilities. The year 64 AD is a period of extraordinary chaos in the Roman Empire — it is the year of the great fire of Rome, which destroyed much of the city and changed the course of history. It is also a time when Emperor Nero reached the height of his madness and despotism. For the series creators, this is the perfect backdrop for a story about secret organizations fighting for humanity's future.

The Assassin's Creed series has repeatedly used pivotal historical moments as the backdrop for its narratives — from the Italian Renaissance through the French Revolution to the times of colonization. Rome in the time of Nero offers something even more fundamental: the opportunity to show the beginnings, myths and legends that can justify the existence of both rival factions in the very roots of Western civilization.

It's also interesting that Netflix did not choose a period that was already directly covered in the games. Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, released in 2010, did indeed have Rome as one of its main cities, but the action took place in the 16th century, more than a thousand years later. This means that the series creators have a practically blank slate — they can build a story without needing to strictly adhere to existing source material, which gives them significantly more artistic freedom.

From games to screen — how Netflix approaches Ubisoft adaptation

This will not be the first time Netflix has undertaken an adaptation of Ubisoft's intellectual property. Previously, the platform has already dealt with universes from this publisher — Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix, based on a Far Cry 3 expansion, appeared in 2023 and received mixed reviews. More recently, last year, Netflix released Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, which brought the character of Sam Fisher to the screen and turned out to be much better received by audiences and critics.

Netflix's experience with video game adaptations shows that the platform is slowly learning how to approach this type of material. Rather than creating slavish copies of games, Netflix seems to understand that the television screen requires a different narrative approach. The Assassin's Creed series has the advantage that its universe is already deeply rooted in history — each game is essentially a separate story set in a different historical period, with the same ideological conflict in the background.

The choice of creators and showrunners for this project suggests that Netflix is taking this seriously. Roberto Patino, who worked on Westworld and Sons of Anarchy, and David Wiener, known for work on Halo and The Killing, are experienced television creators who know how to build tension and develop complex narratives. These are not people who will create a cheap adaptation — these are professionals who understand what a high-budget drama series is.

Cast — familiar faces and new talents

Netflix has already announced a significant portion of the cast, though some roles remain secret or are described as "possible lead roles." Among the announced actors are Lola Pettigrew and Toby Wallace, who are to play the main characters, though details of their roles have not yet been revealed. Pettigrew is known from the film Trespasses, while Wallace has earned recognition for his role in the Australian film Babyteeth.

The supporting cast includes several noteworthy names. Sandra Guldberg-Kampp, known from the series Foundation, Youssef Kerkour from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Mirren Mack from 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, and Louis McCartney, who recently starred in the Broadway production of Stranger Things: The First Shadow, have all been cast in recurring roles. It's a mix of experienced television actors and talents making their first steps in major productions.

This approach to casting — a combination of familiar faces and younger talents — is a strategy that Netflix often uses in its prestigious productions. It allows for attracting viewers who may recognize some of the actors, while avoiding a situation where the entire production relies on a single star. It's also a cheaper solution than hiring a full Hollywood star for every role.

Cinecittà — where history meets production

The fact that the series will be shot mainly at Cinecittà Studios in Rome is not just a practical logistical solution — it's a choice full of symbolism. Cinecittà is a legendary film studio where many classic films have been shot, from Fellini to contemporary superhero productions. Shooting a series about Rome in Rome, at Italy's most famous film studio, is a certain form of authenticity, though of course many scenes will be realized using special effects and digital reconstructions.

The choice of location also has practical significance. Italy has a well-established infrastructure for film and television productions, and Rome itself is an incredible setting. Even if most scenes are shot in the studio, the ability to film in actual Italian locations will add authenticity to the production. This is something viewers will notice on screen — the difference between a completely virtual Rome and a Rome that has real ground beneath its feet.

The conflict of Assassins and Templars — ideology over action

Ubisoft has confirmed that the series story will focus on the war between the Assassin Brotherhood and the Templar Order, but from a new perspective. Both of these groups have "very different visions for humanity's future" — this is a key phrase that suggests the series will not be a simple story of good versus evil, but rather an exploration of two competing visions of the future.

In Assassin's Creed games, this conflict has always had deep ideological roots. Assassins fight for individual freedom, while Templars believe in the need for order and control for the greater good. These are not purely evil or purely good characters — these are ideologies that can be justified from both ethical and pragmatic perspectives. For the series, this is perfect material for exploration — viewers can be divided on which side is right.

The fact that this is an "original story" means that the creators can explore these ideological differences without needing to strictly adhere to the canon from the games. They can create characters that are convincing and three-dimensional, not engaged in the main plot lines from the games. This opens up the possibility for the series to be both accessible to franchise fans and to completely new viewers.

Adaptation challenges — lessons from the past

The history of video game adaptations to film and television is full of spectacular failures. For many years, the film industry treated video games as secondary material, something that could be quickly and cheaply adapted for fans. The result was often poor productions that appealed neither to game fans nor to the broader audience. Only in recent years, with the successes of productions like The Last of Us and Castlevania, has Hollywood begun to take game adaptations more seriously.

Netflix has the advantage of being able to learn from the mistakes of others. The platform also has the budget and resources to create a production that will be visually impressive and narratively coherent. However, challenges remain. Assassin's Creed fans have high expectations — the game series has a huge fan base that will watch every detail of production. If the series is perceived as a betrayal of the original material or is simply poor, fans will not hide it.

Another challenge is the very nature of a television series. Games allow players to explore an open world at their own pace, while a series must tell a coherent story at a set pace. This requires skillful transition between mediums — something Netflix will need to achieve for the series to be successful.

Prospects for the video game adaptation market

The success or failure of the Assassin's Creed series will have significance beyond the series itself. Netflix is investing significant resources in video game adaptations, and Assassin's Creed is one of the biggest projects in this field. If the series proves to be a success, we can expect Netflix and other streaming platforms to invest even more in this type of adaptation. However, if the project fails, it could discourage other companies from taking the risk associated with game adaptations.

The current moment in the industry is interesting. Video games have become the dominant entertainment medium, and their universes are often richer and more complex than many films or series. Video game adaptations have the potential to attract new audiences to streaming platforms — people who may not be traditional television viewers but are interested in worlds they know from games. This is a significant opportunity for Netflix in the market.

The Assassin's Creed series, with its ambitious setting, experienced creative cast, and significant budget, has all the ingredients to become a success. However, as always with adaptations, everything depends on execution. When the production finally reaches the screen — and a premiere date has still not been announced — we will know whether Netflix and Ubisoft have managed to transform a cult game into an equally engaging television series.