Netflix Unveils Live-Action 'Ravenloft' with John August and Alfonso Cuarón

John August will write and executive produce Netflix’s new live-action series “Ravenloft,” set in one of Dungeons & Dragons’ darkest fantasy worlds. Alfonso Cuarón and Hasbro Entertainment are attached as executive producers.

Ravenloft’s gothic horror roots and legacy

First introduced by Tracy and Laura Hickman in 1983, “Ravenloft” ranks among the most-played official settings in Dungeons & Dragons history. It has generated more than a hundred official novels, tabletop RPG modules, video games, companion rulebooks, and extensive fan-created content.

The series merges horror-fantasy, gothic horror, and tragic romance. Its narrative framework—the “Domains of Dread”—centers on character-driven storytelling shaped by magic and supernatural forces. A core focus will be the origin story of vampire Darklord Strahd von Zarovich, tracing his evolution from a tragic antihero to a dangerous villain.

No link to ‘The Forgotten Realms’ project

This development is unrelated to Netflix’s previously announced live-action series set in “The Forgotten Realms,” another Dungeons & Dragons universe. According to Deadline, Netflix has discontinued development of that separate series.

Netflix already occupies adjacent thematic territory with its gothic horror series “Wednesday,” directed and executive produced by Tim Burton.

August’s Burton collaborations and Cuarón’s Netflix return

Writer and producer John August has authored five films directed by Tim Burton, building a substantial portfolio in fantasy and supernatural genres.

Alfonso Cuarón rejoins Netflix with this drama eight years after the platform premiered his film “Roma.” That film, centered on a domestic worker, received 10 Academy Award nominations.