GAME OF THRONES FANS, HBO JUST UNLEASHED THE NEXT EPIC FANTASY KING! 👑⚔️ Forget dragons and rings—this new live-action series is set to school The Rings of Power on how to do massive fantasy right, and it’s already exploding with hype in February 2026!
HBO is developing a live-action television series titled Baldur’s Gate, set as a direct continuation of the blockbuster 2023 video game Baldur’s Gate 3. Announced in early February 2026 via Deadline, the project brings Craig Mazin—co-creator and showrunner of HBO’s acclaimed The Last of Us and the Emmy-winning Chernobyl—to helm as creator, writer, executive producer, and showrunner. Backed by Hasbro Entertainment and Wizards of the Coast (the stewards of Dungeons & Dragons lore), the series enters a crowded but thriving fantasy TV space, drawing immediate comparisons to Amazon Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and positioning itself as a potential benchmark for high-end adaptations.
The series will pick up immediately after the events of Baldur’s Gate 3, the Larian Studios RPG that became a cultural phenomenon. Released in 2023, the game won every major Game of the Year award, sold millions of copies, and amassed over 15 million players by early 2026. Its story centered on mind flayer parasites (tadpoles) infecting characters, forcing them into a desperate quest to save the world from an Elder Brain’s domination. The narrative featured deep player agency, branching paths, romance options, and a cast of memorable companions including the sarcastic vampire Astarion, fiery tiefling Karlach, wizard Gale, and cleric Shadowheart.
Mazin, who has logged nearly 1,000 hours playing Baldur’s Gate 3 and served as a Dungeon Master for 15 years, described the project as a “dream come true.” Unlike The Last of Us, which closely followed the games’ plots, this series will forge original stories in the Forgotten Realms setting. It will feature a mix of new protagonists navigating the post-cataclysm world and returning Baldur’s Gate 3 characters in supporting or recurring roles, dealing with the ramifications of the game’s multiple possible endings. Mazin has indicated plans to involve some of the game’s voice actors—such as Neil Newbon (Astarion) or Samantha BĂ©art (Karlach)—potentially in live-action capacities or advisory roles.
The announcement highlights creative freedom, as no new Baldur’s Gate game is in active development from Larian Studios. Larian has publicly stated it has moved on to other projects, with publishing director Michael Douse noting the studio’s non-involvement. This separation has sparked fan discussion: some worry about losing the game’s signature humor, inclusivity, and choice-driven depth without Larian’s input, while others praise HBO’s prestige approach for elevating the material.
Additional executive producers include Jacqueline Lesko, Cecil O’Connor, and Hasbro’s Gabriel Marano. Chris Perkins, former Head of Story at Wizards of the Coast and a veteran D&D figure (known for his work on Critical Role and other campaigns), serves as consultant to maintain lore accuracy. HBO executives, including EVP Francesca Orsi, expressed enthusiasm for Mazin’s vision, emphasizing his ability to craft immersive worlds and emotionally resonant characters.
The series arrives amid a fantasy adaptation boom. Amazon’s The Rings of Power, now through its second season, has delivered breathtaking visuals and scale but drawn criticism for pacing, lore interpretations, and character decisions. Outlets like Screen Rant, Polygon, and IGN have framed HBO’s project as a potential corrective, highlighting Mazin’s success with faithful yet expansive adaptations and the grounded, character-focused storytelling of Baldur’s Gate 3. Where Rings of Power emphasizes mythic spectacle, Baldur’s Gate promises intimate drama, moral complexity, and D&D’s blend of high fantasy, horror, and wit—elements that could resonate more deeply with audiences seeking substance over sheer grandeur.
Challenges remain, particularly around canon. Baldur’s Gate 3 featured thousands of variations based on player choices, romances, alliances, and endings. Adapting a “sequel” risks alienating fans by selecting a definitive path or sidestepping choices altogether. Reports suggest the series will draw “deeply” from the game’s source material while introducing fresh narratives, likely focusing on a core canon outcome (such as defeating the Netherbrain) to enable ongoing stories in the expansive Forgotten Realms.
No cast, premiere date, episode count, or production start has been confirmed as of mid-February 2026. Mazin’s commitments to The Last of Us Season 3 may delay progress, but HBO’s track record with high-budget fantasy (Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon) suggests substantial resources for effects, practical sets, and creature designs true to D&D aesthetics—mind flayers, displacer beasts, and magical spectacles.
Fan response has been enthusiastic yet cautious. Social media and forums buzz with excitement over Mazin’s credentials and the sequel format, which preserves canon without full retcons. Casting speculation runs rampant, with calls for original voice actors to reprise roles in live-action. Concerns include potential tonal shifts (HBO’s mature style vs. the game’s humor), representation of the game’s diverse characters, and whether a linear TV format can capture RPG freedom.
For Game of Thrones viewers seeking their next epic, Baldur’s Gate offers familiar high-fantasy intrigue—political scheming in Baldur’s Gate, divine pacts, infernal deals—infused with modern sensibilities. Its success could hinge on balancing spectacle with character depth, echoing early Game of Thrones strengths. As fantasy TV evolves amid reboots and franchises, HBO’s entry leverages Baldur’s Gate 3‘s massive fanbase and D&D’s timeless appeal.
If delivered well, the series could redefine video game-to-TV transitions, proving prestige platforms can honor source material while forging bold new paths. For now, it stands as one of the most anticipated fantasy projects of the year—a potential crown jewel in HBO’s lineup that may finally give the genre the successor fans have awaited.
