Netflix releases the Shadow and Bone trailer, revealing a first look at footage from the upcoming TV show. Based on Leigh Bardugo's popular Grishaverse books series - which consists of one trilogy and two duologies all set in the same universe - Netflix's Shadow and Bone show releases in April. The series combines the stories from two Grishaverse series, the Shadow and Bone trilogy following Alina Starkov on her journey to save her home country of Ravka, and the Six of Crows duology about a group of street kids who attempt a dangerous heist. Though the stories are set many years apart, they'll both be told in the Shadow and Bone show.
It's unclear how exactly the stories will be woven together, but Netflix has assembled a talented cast and creative team to lead this adaptation of Bardugo's novels. Eric Heisserer (Arrival, Bird Box) serves as showrunner with Bardugo involved as a producer. As for the Shadow and Bone cast, it's lead by Ben Barnes as General Kirigan - though fans of the books will know him as the Darkling. Jessie Mei Li plays Alina, with Archie Renaux as her childhood friend Mal Oretsev. Additionally, Freddy Carter stars as Kaz Brekker, Amita Suman as Inej Ghafa and Kit Young as Jesper Fahey, while the rest of their crew is rounded out by Danielle Galligan as Nina Zenik and Calahan Skogman as Matthias Helvar. Now a first look at what Shadow and Bone has in store has been revealed.
Netflix released the first Shadow and Bone trailer, showcasing the supernatural world of Bardugo's Grishaverse and introducing the key characters to the show's first season. Take a look at the Shadow and Bone trailer below, released at the start of the show's panel during IGN Fan Fest.
Aside from a few brief shots of Jesper, Kaz and Inej, most of the Shadow and Bone trailer focuses on Alina discovering her powers as the Sun Summoner. In the books, just as the Darkling summons darkness, Alina is able to summon and wield the power of the sun, which includes both heat and light. However, as the trailer hints, Sun Summoners are incredibly rare in the world of Grisha, and Barnes' Darkling isn't quite sure what to make of Alina at first - just as she doesn't totally understand her power. The Shadow and Bone novel follows Alina as she begins to learn about her power under the tutelage of other Grisha at the Little Palace in Ravka's capital. Alina's life at the Little Palace is teased in the trailer, with a brief shot of the red-haired Genya Safin (Daisy Head) and Alina in a tub being scrubbed down.
Further, there appear to be some changes to Bardugo's story in the trailer, with Mal running and calling after Alina as she departs from the encampment after her powers are discovered. But this helps to emphasize Alina and Mal's close friendship that formed as they were raised as orphans together. Their relationship is just as central to the story of the Shadow and Bone trilogy as Alina and the Darkling's, but with Mal and Alina separated for much of the first book, it seems Heisserer has taken steps to ensure the meaningfulness of their dynamic is felt. That said, there's still plenty unknown about how exactly Heisserer has managed to adapt Bardugo's stories into the TV series. With this first Shadow and Bone trailer, the look and feel of the show - particularly the Grisha powers - are revealed, but it won't be until the series premieres that viewers get a real idea of how Alina's story will play out in live-action.
Shadow and Bone premieres Friday, April 23 on Netflix.
Source: Netflix