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Netflix is taking Dungeons & Dragons in a much darker direction.
The streamer is developing Ravenloft, a new live-action series based on one of the most gothic and horror-driven settings in the Dungeons & Dragons universe. The project is being developed by writer and executive producer John August, with Oscar-winning filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón also attached as an executive producer alongside Hasbro Entertainment.
Rather than focusing on the traditional high-fantasy adventures associated with D&D, Ravenloft will explore a world filled with dark magic, supernatural forces, tragic romance and horror.
At the centre of the story is one of the franchise’s most recognizable villains: Strahd von Zarovich.
The series is expected to explore Strahd’s transformation from a tragic figure into the vampire Darklord who would ultimately become one of Dungeons & Dragons’ most infamous characters. His journey will reportedly examine themes of power, love and obsession before leading to his transformation into an undead ruler.
That focus could give Ravenloft a considerably different flavour from previous Dungeons & Dragons adaptations. Instead of simply following a group of adventurers through a fantasy quest, the series appears poised to tell a character-driven story about the origins of a legendary villain.
John August could also be a particularly interesting choice to bring the material to life. The writer has extensive experience working within dark fantasy and gothic storytelling, having contributed to several films associated with filmmaker Tim Burton, including Big Fish, Corpse Bride, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Frankenweenie.
Cuarón’s involvement adds another major name to the project. The filmmaker has previously collaborated with Netflix on Roma and is known for films including Children of Men and Gravity, potentially giving Ravenloft some serious cinematic ambition.
The announcement also comes with a significant change to Netflix’s previous Dungeons & Dragons plans.
The streamer had previously been developing a separate live-action series based around The Forgotten Realms, another major D&D setting. That project was announced in 2025 with Drew Crevello attached as writer and Shawn Levy serving as executive producer. According to Deadline, however, The Forgotten Realms series is no longer moving forward at Netflix.
Importantly, Ravenloft isn’t simply a reworking of that project. It is being developed as a new series with a different creative team and a completely different setting.
The timing is also interesting for Dungeons & Dragons fans. Ravenloft has recently received renewed attention from Wizards of the Coast, including the release of the new Ravenloft: The Horrors Within sourcebook in 2026.
The gothic setting originally began as a Dungeons & Dragons adventure created by Tracy and Laura Hickman before eventually expanding into an entire campaign setting. Its Domains of Dread have become one of the game’s defining horror elements, with Strahd remaining its most recognizable figure.
For Netflix, the series could provide an opportunity to approach the Dungeons & Dragons brand from an entirely different angle. The streamer has already found success with fantasy and genre properties such as Stranger Things, Wednesday and One Piece, and Ravenloft’s combination of horror and fantasy could potentially fit comfortably alongside those titles.
However, fans shouldn’t expect to see the series on Netflix anytime soon. Ravenloft is currently in development and has not yet received a series order, meaning there is no release date, casting information or episode count at this stage.
Still, the prospect of John August, Alfonso Cuarón and Hasbro teaming up to explore the origins of Strahd von Zarovich makes this one Dungeons & Dragons adaptation worth keeping an eye on.
If Netflix gives Ravenloft the freedom to embrace its darker side, the result could be a very different kind of D&D series — one where the greatest monster isn’t necessarily something waiting in the shadows, but the man who became it.
