After a considerable wait, Ubisoft’s animated series, Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, is gearing up for launch with a new, extended preview and official release date. Set to premiere on October 14th, the show features Liev Schreiber in the lead role and Janet Varney, known for her comedic work, as Anna “Grim” Grímsdóttir. Production on the anime has been ongoing for what seems like an eternity.
Okay, realistically, it’s been five years, but the development has felt prolonged. During this time, plans for a Splinter Cell film starring Tom Hardy were abandoned. Furthermore, updates on other Ubisoft film and TV projects, like Watch_Dogs, Beyond Good & Evil, The Division, Ghost Recon, Riders Republic, a Rabbids movie, and a Just Dance film, have been scarce. The fact that any of these projects are seeing the light of day feels like a minor miracle.
The trailer, however, presents a surprising take. Michael Ironside, the original voice of Sam Fisher in the video games, mentioned back in 2024 that, at 75, he felt “too old” for the part. The role then transitioned to the 57-year-old Schreiber for the anime. Therefore, it’s unexpected that Sam Fisher in the trailer appears to be a character closer to 75 years old.
The central narrative of the series remains unclear. Beyond a plot point involving the death of a character named Douglas Shetland and its personal impact on Fisher, the preview mostly showcases extensive gunfights and Fisher’s aggressive encounter. Oddly, the iconic three-lens goggles are briefly visible within the teaser. While not involved in Netflix’s marketing, I’d suggest emphasizing the recognizable headwear and perhaps adding some hint of intrigue in the marketing, given the trailer gives off “Retirement Home Sam Fisher” vibes.
The creative team behind the show is a strong point. Derek Kolstad, who spearheaded Bob Odenkirk’s transformation into an action star in Nobody and wrote the initial John Wick films, is the creator. Kolstad is joined by a team of writers with experience on Shooter, as well as some new talent.
The teaser lacks wit and a clear storyline, but Kolstad’s involvement as the head writer suggests the show itself shouldn’t follow suit. At least, we hope not. Fisher’s apparent age might align the show with the games’ timeline, as the last installment, Splinter Cell: Blacklist, debuted an exceptional 12 years ago. Perhaps this is a nod to fans of the original game series.