Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieveswas great, but there’s a key way that Netflix’s upcomingDungeons & DragonsTV show should be different. The series comes from producer Shawn Levy (Stranger Things), withWeCrashed’s Drew Crevello serving as writer and showrunner. Finally, Hasbro Entertainment will be in on the game. Aside from this, we don’t know much just yet.
There are a handful of ways that Levy and Crevello could approachNetflix’sDungeons & DragonsTV show. WithHonor Among Thieveshaving released only a couple of years ago, they are all but guaranteed to take a look at what did or did not work about that film. While I hope that the new series takes inspiration from the movie, there must be some significant differences.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieveswas a massive success with critics and audiences. The film holds an impressive 91% score onRotten Tomatoes, and Netflix’s TV show likely wouldn’t have been greenlit without this success. Now,Levy and Crevello can build on the evident interest inDungeons & Dragons, but this should go beyond lore.
Netflix’s Dungeons & Dragons Show Can Jump Between Real-World Characters & Their D&D Campaign
Honor Among Thieves Was Set Only In-World
Honor Among Thieveswas set within one of the most popular fantasy worlds ofDungeons & Dragons, the Forgotten Realms. Netflix has already revealed that the same will be true for its TV show, butthe upcoming series can take this further by splitting its attention between the fantastical characters in the Realm and the human players sitting around a table, actually playingDungeons & Dragons.
It would essentially be two stories in one, capturing not only the lore of D&D but the real-world culture of role-playing.
A series like this could introducecharacters in a similar way toHonor Among Thieves. However, when these characters enter into combat or make decisions,Netflix’s TV show can jump to the real-world characters as they roll the dice, engage in table talk, and react to their campaign. It would essentially be two stories in one, capturing not only the lore ofD&Dbut the real-world culture of role-playing.
There are a handful of popular web series that center on a batch of players as they playDungeons & Dragons, paired with animations or skits that bring their campaigns to life for viewers' benefit. This is known as “actual play,” and Netflix could draw inspiration from this concept for its TV show. We would essentially be getting two stories in one, perfectly covering all that is great aboutD&D.
A Meta Dungeons & Dragons Show Would Capture What’s Great About The Timeless Game
Game Play Is An Important Part Of The Culture
ADungeons & DragonsTV show that bounces between the real-world players and the Forgotten Realms would feel far more meta thanHonor Among Thieves. It would be a story within a story, with characters playing the roles of other characters.Honor Among Thieveswas great for bringing the world ofD&Dto the screen, but Netflix’s TV show can take that even further by showing exactly how the game is played.
Understanding lore and the general worlds ofDungeons & Dragonsis only a part of the experience. Netflix has an opportunity to welcome audiences into the other aspect of playing the game. Viewers can see the real-world characters make decisions and watch with anticipation as they roll a failure, or, if they’re lucky, a nat 20. Then, we would watch how that translates to the events of the fantasy world.
Of course, actually working this out on screen would be a challenge. There must be something to keep the real-world characters' stories interesting beyond their game. However, if Levy and Crevello can come up with a good hook,such a series would be a rare chance to fully demonstrate the joys of playingDungeons & Dragons. As it is, Levy already did something similar with another series.
Stranger Things' Success Creates The Perfect Launching Point For A Meta Dungeons & Dragons Show
Netflix’s Dungeons & Dragons Can Bring The Game To New Audiences
It’s fitting that Levy is the executive producer for Netflix’sDungeons & DragonsTV show, since this game played a significant role in his previous hit,Stranger Things. The characters of this other Netflix series were passionate players ofD&D, and they suddenly found themselves at the center of a similar fantasy adventure. The game they played had become a haunting reality.
Stranger Things handled Dungeons & Dragons so lovingly that the series ultimately inspired a sort of public revitalization of the game.
Stranger ThingshandledDungeons & Dragonsso lovingly that the series ultimately inspired a sort of public revitalization of the game. Overnight, people of all ages were interested inDungeons & Dragons. We could even attribute the success ofHonor Among Thievesto the attention thatStranger Thingsdrew to the IP. Now,Levy and Netflix’s new series can take this even further.
I’d love for the newDungeons & DragonsTV show to be a sort of love letter to the game itself. I want to see representation for the community that has been so devoted to this branch of fantasy for decades. At the same time, it would be heartwarming to watch viewers who had previously known nothing aboutDungeons & Dragonsbecome interested in playing for the first time. LikeStranger Things, Netflix’s TV show has the power to make that happen.
