HBO developing Baldur's Gate series with The Last of Us creator – story picks up after BG3 events

Craig Mazin, co-creator of The Last of Us series, has partnered with Hasbro Entertainment to produce an HBO show based on Baldur's Gate 3 – Larian Studios' wildly popular RPG. According to Deadline, the project for HBO is titled Baldur's Gate, with its story unfolding after the conclusion of Baldur's Gate 3.

Mazin will serve as co-creator, writer, executive producer, and showrunner. The series will feature both new characters and familiar faces, though specific names and casting haven't been revealed yet. Given that Baldur's Gate 4 isn't currently in development (or hasn't been announced), the show's creators have significant creative freedom for story development. However, Wizards of the Coast head of story Chris Perkins will serve as an on-set consultant to ensure the series stays faithful to its Dungeons & Dragons roots.

Mazin, who has logged "nearly 1,000 hours into the incredible world of Baldur's Gate 3," as he told Deadline, is thrilled about the opportunity to work on the series.

It is a dream come true to be able to continue the story that Larian and Wizards of The Coast created. I am a devoted fan of D&D and the brilliant way that Swen Vincke and his gifted team adapted it. I can't wait to help bring Baldur's Gate and all of its incredible characters to life with as much respect and love as we can, and I'm deeply grateful to Gabe Marano and his team at Hasbro for entrusting me with this incredibly important property.

HBO head of drama programming Francesca Orsi added:

We're thrilled to continue our partnership with Craig Mazin on Baldur's Gate. His deep and long-standing passion for the source material paired with his remarkable talent for building immersive worlds filled with rich, compelling characters promises groundbreaking results.

Before co-creating The Last of Us adaptation, Mazin co-wrote Scary Movie 3, Scary Movie 4, and The Hangover Part 3, but gained widespread recognition as creator of the Emmy-winning miniseries Chernobyl. Following that project, he teamed up with The Last of Us game co-creator Neil Druckmann to adapt Naughty Dog's popular title for television. While the first season followed the source material closely, the second season deviated more significantly, drawing mixed reactions from fans. Druckmann departed the show after season two, and comments from HBO chief content officer Casey Bloys suggest the series may conclude with its third season.

With Baldur's Gate, Mazin has greater creative freedom, though he'll be working within a framework almost certain to spark controversy – whatever story the show tells will canonize one of Baldur's Gate 3's multiple endings.