HBO is officially venturing deeper into the world of video game adaptations with a newly announced Baldur’s Gate live‑action series led by The Last of Us co‑creator Craig Mazin. The project, developed in partnership with Hasbro Entertainment, will continue the story of Baldur’s Gate 3—but without the involvement of the studio that made the award‑winning game a global phenomenon.
A Continuation of Baldur’s Gate 3, Not a Retelling
According to Deadline’s exclusive reporting, the series will pick up immediately after the events of Baldur’s Gate 3, following both returning and brand‑new characters as they deal with the consequences of the game’s climactic finale. Mazin, a longtime Dungeons & Dragons fan and a self‑professed 1,000‑hour BG3 player, will serve as creator, writer, executive producer, and showrunner.
Unlike The Last of Us, which closely followed the narrative of the PlayStation games, Baldur’s Gate is being designed as an ongoing series with narrative freedom. With no new BG game currently in development, Mazin has room to expand the Forgotten Realms storylines in ways not bound to a predetermined game script.
Larian Studios Responds — And Sets Expectations
Shortly after the news broke, Larian Studios publicly acknowledged the announcement and clarified their position:
They are not involved in the HBO adaptation.
This aligns with Larian’s earlier statements that Baldur’s Gate 3 was their final entry in the franchise and that they would not be developing future BG titles. While they expressed support for the creative team and appreciation for the fans’ excitement, they emphasized that the series is being handled entirely by HBO, Hasbro Entertainment, and Wizards of the Coast.
For fans hoping for direct creative continuity from the game’s developers, this is a significant detail—one that sets expectations for a series inspired by BG3’s world and characters, but not authored by the studio that shaped them.
Why Craig Mazin?
Mazin’s track record with Chernobyl and The Last of Us has made him one of the most trusted names in prestige genre storytelling. His deep familiarity with D&D—he has been a weekly Dungeon Master for 15 years—combined with his passion for BG3 reportedly played a major role in securing the project.
HBO executives praised Mazin’s “long‑standing passion for the source material” and his ability to build emotionally rich, character‑driven worlds.
Hasbro’s Expanding D&D Universe
The Baldur’s Gate series is part of a broader push by Hasbro to expand Dungeons & Dragons into mainstream entertainment. It will coexist with the previously announced Forgotten Realms live‑action series at Netflix, produced by Shawn Levy. Both shows share the same campaign setting but are expected to explore different corners of the world.
Hasbro is also developing additional high‑profile adaptations, including a new Power Rangers live‑action series for Disney+.
What This Means for Fans
The announcement marks a major milestone for the Baldur’s Gate franchise, which has existed since 1998 but only recently exploded into mainstream cultural relevance thanks to Baldur’s Gate 3’s historic success—over 15 million players and a sweep of all five major Game of the Year awards.
However, the absence of Larian Studios from the adaptation means fans should expect a fresh creative interpretation rather than a direct extension of the game’s narrative voice. Mazin has indicated he hopes to involve members of the BG3 voice cast where possible, but the story direction will be entirely new.
