The news yesterday that HBO is not only making a Baldur’s Gate 3 TV show but that it will continue the story on from the video game itself has sent shockwaves through the internet.
The adaptation will reportedly take place after the events of Larian’s much-loved RPG and feature characters from the game. Craig Mazin, who created HBO shows Chernobyl and The Last of Us, is in place as showrunner (it sounds like The Last of Us will end with Season 3, which now makes a lot of sense). Chris Perkins, the former longtime Head of Story at Hasbro subsidiary Wizards of the Coast, which owns the Dungeons & Dragons universe in which Baldur’s Gate 3 is set, will serve as consultant.
It’s fair to say the internet has reacted strongly to the news, and from what I can see much of that reaction is a mix of disbelief and concern. Most can’t fathom why anyone would want to continue on from the events of Baldur’s Gate 3 itself, given its many different endings, variances in world state, and, most importantly, the vastly different outcomes for characters such as Astarion, Karlach, and Shadowheart.
There is also significant concern at the fact that Larian, the developer of Baldur’s Gate 3, is not consulting on the show. This was confirmed in a tweet from Larian boss Swen Vincke, who went on to say that Mazin has asked to visit the developer for a chat. “From the conversation we had, I think he truly is a big fan which gives me hope,” Vincke said, perhaps diplomatically.
Vincke went on to offer his thoughts on the show:
“Crazy that a story that started out in a small hotel conference room eventually evolved into a narrative inspiring enough for it to become a HBO series,” he said. “We worked incredibly hard on making Baldur’s Gate 3 worthy of its legacy. Its characters and narratives are the result of many teams working together and I think I can speak for them all in saying that they’ll think this is cool and hope that what comes next will enjoy the same level of passion.
“The endings of BG3 were created so they could serve as narrative soil for new adventures. There’s plenty of directions they could go. I’m eager to find out which ones Craig and his team will pick. He’s reached out for a chat so we’ll have the opportunity to tell him our thoughts.
“Crossing fingers that the story we’re cooking up for Divinity will eventually grow to the same heights. Certainly putting in the hours :)”
Larian publishing director Michael Douse, however, was initially less diplomatic as he “crashed out” on social media, retweeting a number of memes and responding to others. But he then offered a more level-headed view:
“I’ve spent the last 8-10 years of my life with the writers and creators of Baldur’s Gate 3 and they’re the most incredible storytellers and creators in the space,” Douse said. “Only hope is that they get both the credit deserved and the characters are represented at the same level as the game.
“I genuinely don’t think anyone can trump our writers. Our stories are built by fierce camaraderie and resolve. I have watched them write and write and write and through respect for audience and material come up with some of the finest shit i have ever played. I hope TV allows for the same thoroughness.
“Don’t abandon hope, but do expect the world. That’s the job.”
Hope ur ok now
— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) February 6, 2026
— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) February 6, 2026
Pissed in ur corn
— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) February 6, 2026
HBO and Wizards of the Coast’s approach with Baldur’s Gate 3 is in stark contrast to that of Amazon and Bethesda’s for Fallout. With Todd Howard leading the charge, Bethesda is heavily involved in the creation of the smash hit Fallout TV series, which has been praised by fans for nailing the Fallout universe, tone, and aesthetic. The Fallout TV series also avoids the pitfalls of retelling the story of an existing game, nor does it feature main characters from any of the games. Instead, it’s set after the events of all the Fallout games, bringing in new characters and telling new stories, while returning to fan-favorite locations (New Vegas etc).
There will be intense scrutiny on the casting choices for Baldur’s Gate 3. The video game’s characters have become part of the culture, instantly recognizable online, and their actors as high-profile as those in the space get. The idea of an Astarion played by someone other than Neil Newbon, for example, seems almost ridiculous.
HBO at least knows what an online backlash to a video game adaptation looks like. While Season 1 of The Last of Us was a huge hit and, generally speaking, went down very well with fans, Season 2 has been a mixed bag. Mazin himself has spoken openly about this backlash. Ellie actor Bella Ramsey told those who hate The Last of Us that they can play the video game instead. Meanwhile, Naughty Dog chief Neil Druckmann left The Last of Us ahead of Season 3 to focus on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
It seems early days for Baldur’s Gate 3, so we probably won’t know anything concrete about it for some time. Until then… Timothée Chalamet for Astarion?
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
