Ancient Rome, Assassins, and Nero: Netflix's AC Show Just Got Historically Spicy (and a tad concerning)
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Netflix's long-awaited Assassin's Creed show is reportedly set in ancient Rome (54-68 AD), a period untouched by the games, promising new characters and historical intrigue around figures like Emperor Nero. Jeff explores the cautious optimism for this fresh take, balancing skepticism about adaptations with excitement for the historical setting and the potential for new stories.
Right, so you know how we’ve been hearing whispers about Netflix’s live-action Assassin's Creed show for what feels like a geological age? Well, finally, some proper news has bubbled up from the digital ether, and if these reports are on the money, we’re strapping in for a trip to ancient Rome, mate!
Eurogamer recently tipped us off to a report by Nexus Point News, suggesting that the long-awaited series is eyeing the glory (and probably, gory) days of ancient Rome, specifically between 54-68 AD. Now, if you're like me, your first thought is probably, 'Wait, haven't we been to Rome before?' And you'd be right, kind of. *Assassin's Creed Brotherhood* gave us a cracking rendition of Renaissance Rome, but this news implies a much, much earlier historical dive. We're talking Emperor Nero and Seneca the Younger levels of ancient. That’s a time period, and this is the kicker, that the games themselves haven't actually touched. Fair dinkum, that’s a bold move, and honestly, a rather exciting one.
My inner digital wizard is already conjuring images of hidden blades clashing with Roman legionary armour, parkour across the Forum, and perhaps even some cheeky assassinations right under Nero's nose while Rome burns (metaphorically, of course... mostly). The games have always been about weaving fantastical narratives through real history, and ancient Rome, with its political intrigue, vast empire, and notoriously dramatic emperors, is a veritable goldmine for an Assassin-Templar conflict.
Now, let's talk about the official blurb for the show, which feels like it was written by a particularly enthusiastic algorithm: it's "centered on the secret war between two shadowy factions - one set on determining mankind's future through control and manipulation, while the other fights to preserve free will. The series follows its characters across pivotal historical events as they battle to shape humanity's destiny." Sound familiar? That's because it's pretty much the core DNA of every Assassin's Creed story ever told. And bless its heart for it, because that’s why we’re here, isn’t it? But what will make *this* adaptation stand out from the games themselves, or even the rather forgettable film adaptation we got a few years back?
The fact that it’s hitting an *untouched* era is a fantastic start. It avoids the direct comparison trap, meaning the showrunners won’t be trying to directly adapt Ezio’s story or bayek’s origin. This is a fresh slate within the established lore, which gives them a lot of creative freedom. And freedom, as we all know, is precisely what the Assassins are all about.
Speaking of characters, we recently heard that Toby Wallace (who you might recognise from *Babyteeth* or *The Society*) has been cast as a co-lead. Beyond that, his role remains shrouded in more mystery than an Apple of Eden. The report suggests the show will feature characters different from the games, which again, is probably for the best. Building new heroes and villains from scratch in a fresh historical setting allows the show to forge its own identity without stepping on any treasured canonical toes. Or, y'know, accidentally summoning a corrupted Abstergo AI into the timeline. It's a fine line, these adaptations, mate.
The Netflix *Assassin's Creed* adaptation has been a bit like a slowly brewing potion since it was first announced way back in 2020. That's a fair old wait, isn't it? It’s being helmed by Roberto Patino (of *DMZ* and *Westworld* fame) and David Wiener (who worked on *Halo* and *Homecoming*), serving as creators, showrunners, and executive producers. With filming reportedly kicking off next year in Italy, the pieces seem to finally be falling into place. The long gestation period could either mean a meticulously crafted masterpiece or a project that’s seen too many cooks in the digital kitchen. I'm cautiously optimistic, leaning towards the former, because genuinely good things often take time to bake, don't they?
From a player's perspective, this news feels like a decent roll of the dice. We've seen Ubisoft's recent games like *Odyssey* and *Valhalla* lean into massive, open-world RPGs, and then *Mirage* brought things back to a more classic stealth experience. A TV show has the luxury of being a different beast entirely. It can focus on character depth, political machinations, and the philosophical conflict between order and freedom in a way that’s harder to sustain across 100+ hours of gameplay. Plus, who doesn't love a good historical drama, especially one with parkour and hidden blades?
What I'm truly curious about is how they'll handle the 'modern day' storyline – the Animus component. Will it be a brief framing device, or will it be a significant part of the plot? That's always been a contentious point in the games, with some players loving it and others just wanting to get back to the historical playground. I reckon they'll need to strike a delicate balance to appeal to both long-time fans and newcomers.
Ultimately, this Ancient Rome setting feels like a smart, fresh choice. It taps into the historical epic vibe that *Assassin's Creed* does so well, without directly competing with established game narratives. It gives the creative team room to breathe and, hopefully, to surprise us. Let's just hope they remember that while Rome might not have been built in a day, a good Assassin's Creed story (show or game) needs a solid foundation and a compelling vision, not just another emperor with questionable fashion sense. Here's hoping it's more 'masterpiece theatre' and less 'disaster piece theatre' when it finally drops. My digital crystal ball is humming with anticipation, even if there's a slight tremor of apprehension.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to research toga fashion and the best spots for rooftop parkour in 54 AD. You never know when that kind of knowledge will come in handy, do you?
Tags: Assassin's Creed, Netflix, TV Adaptation, Ancient Rome, Gaming News
Original article: Eurogamer