The highly anticipated Netflix live-action “Assassin’s Creed” series has officially found its director in Johan Renck, the acclaimed Swedish filmmaker known for his Emmy-winning work on HBO’s mini-series “Chernobyl.” This development follows the initial casting announcements, which include Toby Wallace (“Euphoria”) and Lola Petticrew (“Say Nothing”) as leads, alongside Zachary Hart (“Slow Horses”) and Laura Marcus (“Death by Lightning”) as regular cast members.

Based on the immensely popular time-travelling video game franchise, the “Assassin’s Creed” series was first unveiled in July as the inaugural project under a significant 2020 agreement between Netflix and Ubisoft. While specific plot details are being kept under wraps, the official logline describes the series as being “centered on the secret war between two shadowy factions — one set on determining mankind’s future through control and manipulation, while the other fights to preserve free will.” The narrative promises to follow its characters across pivotal historical events as they strive to shape humanity’s destiny.

Behind the scenes, Roberto Patino and David Wiener are at the helm, serving as creators, showrunners, and executive producers. The executive producing team also includes Gerard Guillemot, Margaret Boykin, Austin Dill, and Genevieve Jones from Ubisoft Film & Television, in addition to Matt O’Toole.

The “Assassin’s Creed” video game franchise debuted in 2007, instantly becoming a hit with its intricate narrative detailing the centuries-long conflict between the rival secret orders of the Assassins and the Templars. Since its inception, the franchise has expanded significantly, with 13 further installments released to date, including the most recent “Assassin’s Creed: Shadows” in 2025. Cumulatively, the games have sold over 230 million copies worldwide. A film adaptation starring Michael Fassbender was also released in 2016.

Johan Renck brings a robust portfolio of directorial experience to the project. Beyond his celebrated work on “Chernobyl,” which earned numerous Emmy, Golden Globe, and BAFTA TV awards in 2019, his television credits include directing the series “The Last Panther” and episodes for iconic shows such as “Breaking Bad,” “The Walking Dead,” “Vikings,” “Bates Motel,” and “Halt and Catch Fire.” Renck has previously collaborated with Netflix, having directed the first two episodes of their 2015 series “Bloodline” and the 2023 sci-fi feature “Spaceman,” starring Adam Sandler and based on the novel “Spaceman of Bohemia.” Interestingly, Renck had previously expressed, in a conversation with Variety, a humorous intent to “quit” filmmaking after the success of “Chernobyl” and instead pursue opening a “really fucking cool restaurant” in Brooklyn.