Netflix has released Shadow and Bone promo images for their upcoming series, giving fans of Leigh Bardugo’s fantasy novels their first look at the live-action adaptation. Shadow and Bone is the first of the “Grishaverse” book trilogy, which released in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The Netflix adaptation has been highly anticipated since its initial announcement and is planned for a release on the streamer this April.
Shadow and Bone and the rest of the Grishaverse pull heavily from Imperial Russia, creating a unique fantasy world that’s more modern than knights and castles but not quite so steampunk as some other entries in the genre. The story follows Alina Starkov, an orphan from the land of Ravka, who embarks on a dangerous journey after discovering she wields rare supernatural abilities. Bardugo has published several additional books set in the Grishaverse since the initial trilogy ended. Netflix's series will adapt both the Shadow and Bone trilogy as well as the Six of Crows duology.
The new images released by Netflix show the striking aesthetic of Ravka brought to life and give fans a look at their favorite characters in live-action. Shadow and Bone stars Jessie Mei Li as Alina Starkov, Archie Renaux as Malyen Oretsev and Ben Barnes as General Kirigan aka the Darkling, with Kit Young, Amita Suman and Freddy Carter as Jesper Fahey, Inej Ghafa and Kaz Brekker from Six of Crows. The images also include first looks at Danielle Galligan as Nina Zenik and Calahan Skogman as Matthias Helvar, also from Six of Crows. The cast looks stellar all costumed up, and the cold, brutal, yet strikingly gorgeous world of Ravka is brought to life beautifully.
The realm of young adult fantasy has been a recent point of focus for Netflix, from the company’s streaming deal with The CW for Riverdale, to Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, to the recently released TV-MA Winx Club adaptation Fate: The Winx Saga. By adapting Bardugo’s novels, Netflix seems to be competing directly with HBO’s His Dark Materials series, a live-action adaptation of Philip Pullman’s acclaimed trilogy of the same name. Franchise development is becoming increasingly important in the streaming marketplace, and companies like Netflix who lack a Batman or Star Wars are doing their best to acquire and develop their own such series.
The Grishaverse seems like a perfect target for that kind of development, and these early images of Netflix’s adaptation bode well for what’s to come. With a full core trilogy and as well as the Six of Crows and King of Scars duologies available to bring to the screen, there could be a long future for Bardugo’s novels at Netflix if the first season of Shadow and Bone finds success. Hopefully the new images released will get Shadow and Bone fans even more excited for the series’ April 23 premiere.
Source: Netflix