Netflix has given an eight-episode series order to Grendel, an adaptation of Matt Wagner’s award-winning Dark Horse comic book series of the same name. This is the first we've heard of the project, but the main cast has already been set, with Abubakr Ali (Power Book II: Ghost, Katy Keene) taking the lead role of masked vigilante/villain Hunter Rose.
Ali, who now becomes the first Arab Muslim male actor to take the lead in a comic book adaptation, will be joined by Jaime Ray Newman (Dopesick) as Jocasta Rose, Julian Black Antelope (The Flash) as Argent, Madeline Zima (Hacks) as Liz Sparks, Kevin Corrigan (The Get Down) as Barry Palumbo, Emma Ho (The Expanse) as Stacy, Erik Palladino (Watchmen) as Teddy Ciccone, Brittany Allen (What Keeps You Alive) as Annabelle Wright, and Andy Mientus (The Flash) as Larry Stohler.
The series is written and executive produced by Resident Evil and Supernatural alum Andrew Dabb, who will also serve as showrunner.
For those unfamiliar with the source material, Grendel Hunter Rose, a gifted fencer, writer and assassin, seeking to avenge the death of a lost love. He goes to war with New York’s criminal underworld, only to realize…why beat them, when you can join them?
“I couldn’t be more thrilled about the Grendel saga, one of the longest-running independent comics series, finally being translated into live-action for the screen,” said Wagner. “Under the sharp guidance of showrunner Andrew Dabb, our incredible creative team, sure-to-be stellar cast, and Dark Horse Entertainment have teamed with Netflix to produce this provocative adaptation that will bring my characters and concepts to an all-new audience and yet still provide excitement and surprises for die-hard fans. I’m especially excited to see Abubakr Ali bring the character of Grendel/Hunter Rose to life—he has the charisma, style, and vital edginess that I’ve been envisioning in the role for years.”
Andy Grendel fans out there? Let us know in the usual place.