Netflix’s Resident Evil sequence is carving its personal path with out leaving the video games behind

“That is the Netflix model of Resident Evil. Netflix’s Resident Evil. It’s completely different from the film model of Resident Evil, it’s completely different from the sport model of Resident Evil,” says Andrew Dabb, showrunner and govt producer when requested to clarify the selection of title for the sequence. “My hope is you go discover the opposite Resident Evils, however that is the one we’re doing on Netflix.”

I bought an opportunity to talk with Dabb after a screening of the primary two episodes of the brand new Netflix Resident Evil sequence starring Lance Reddick (John Wick, Future 2) as Albert Wesker and Ella Balinska (Charlie’s Angels) as Jade Wesker. Dabb is not any stranger to writing genre-specific tv – he spent years writing and govt producing for the hit CW sequence Supernatural – however he’s nicely conscious of the strain and expectation that comes with the Resi identify. Brilliantly, the sequence is each divorced from and intrinsically tied to the Resident Evil franchise, which provides him an opportunity to inform new tales whereas weaving in iconic characters and areas. 

This might not be the Resident Evil TV sequence you’re anticipating – and that’s a superb factor.

The story 

(Picture credit score: Netflix)

Netflix’s Resident Evil jumps forwards and backwards between two timelines: one which takes place earlier than the outbreak in our current day (there are some jokes within the first two episodes which can be pointedly modern) and one 14 years after the outbreak. Dabb’s resolution to separate the timelines was rooted in a want to inform the story of a zombie outbreak and its penalties in a brand new manner for each the franchise and the zombie style as an entire. “We’ve seen the outbreak one million instances, proper? 28 Days Later, The Strolling Lifeless – we’ve seen that occur. What occurs earlier than the outbreak, and what occurs after the world’s ended?”

The twin timelines give Lance Reddick ample alternative to inject pathos into Albert Wesker – sure, one can find your self feeling surprisingly keen on a person who’s, undeniably, a eugenicist. Reddick shines as Wesker: his impossibly easy voice is a salve for the soul, however the data of his character’s future is etched into his face. It is a conflicted man, and the viewers will understand it from the beginning. 

“When Lance was fascinated with doing the half, nicely you’re not gonna discover anyone higher,” Dabb says when requested about casting a Black actor for a personality depicted within the video games as white. “As soon as that clicked into place, you’re not going to do higher. So at that time, you’re making the present weaker in case you go together with somebody who could also be extra aesthetically a match to the sport. Why would you weaken the present like that? It is senseless to m

The online game tie-in

(Picture credit score: Capcom)

Netflix’s Resident Evil feels decidedly contemporary, particularly with half of it firmly planted within the modern-day, however Dabb and workforce are utilizing the Resident Evil video games as much more than inspiration. “The video games are our backstory. Every little thing that occurred within the video games exists on this world,” says Dabb. “So the village is there. We would not get there till season 5, but it surely’s in our world… The flicks are a unique story, however the whole lot within the video games is a backstory for the present. However we’re doling it out in items. It’s not: episode three, ‘Meet the Redfields’, episode 4 ‘Right here’s Leon.’ And you may try this model! There’s part of the fan base that I’m certain can be like, ‘please try this model.’ However for us it was extra vital to take you on this journey.”

This journey will embrace simply as a lot zombie nonsense and freaky creatures as you’d anticipate from a chunk of Resident Evil media (“you may’t be afraid of the bizarre stuff,” says Dabb), however with the liberty to forge its personal path, Netflix’s Resident Evil sequence has extra time to endear you to its characters. Balinska’s Jade Wesker is whip-smart and humorous as hell, and your data of her previous – because of the twin timelines – solely helps propel her arc ahead in a manner a film or a online game couldn’t. After simply two episodes, I’m hooked and determined to be taught what occurs to all of the characters I’ve met thus far. 

The character work is a testomony to Dabb’s expertise as a author, and is unsurprising in case you contemplate how beloved his Supernatural characters are. Nevertheless it was the liberty given to him by manufacturing studio Constanin Movies (who produces the Resi films, as nicely) that gave him the required area to jot down such good characters. “That is essentially the most alive IP on the market as a result of there are video games and flicks and TV reveals and anime all popping out on the identical time, plus novels and comedian books. So there’s a variety of stuff occurring,” Dabb acknowledges. “And so for us, it was like, ‘Okay, let’s go and carve our personal path whereas acknowledging the whole lot else’.”

From what I’ve seen, Netflix’s Resident Evil sequence deftly handles the heavy burden of online game adaptation. It might each stand by itself and complement current Resident Evil media, but it surely’s by no means dependent upon its predecessors. I’m excited to see extra of what it has to supply. The Netflix Resident Evil sequence debuts July 14. 

Take a look at extra of the greatest new TV reveals coming this yr.

Artificial: Vik Information