A Resident Evil live-action series is coming to Netflix in July 2022. Here’s your first look at Resident Evil on Netflix, its release date, production schedule, and what we can expect.
Resident Evil is the upcoming Netflix Original series based on the Capcom game of the same name. Launched in 1996, the franchise has spawned numerous video game sequels, novels, and a popular movie franchise.
Netflix is seemingly going all-in on Resident Evil with this live-action series and at least two animated projects too, the first of which was Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness which was released on Netflix in July 2021.
Netflix themselves didn’t actually post anything official regarding the live-action series until August 27th, 2020. That’s when they published the first details via the former NXonNetflix account.
The 8 x 1 hour episode season will be helmed by Andrew Dabb (Supernatural), Bronwen Hughes (The Walking Dead, The Journey Is the Destination) will direct the first two episodes.
— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) August 27, 2020
In the script that was posted by NXonNetflix in August 2020, we know that episode one is called “Welcome to New Racoon City”. The episode is written by Andrew Dabb and directed by Bronwen Hughes (The Walking Dead).
Andrew Dabb is helming the series. His previous credits include Supernatural for The CW. This caused some initial concern surrounding the tone of the first season but at this point, it’s too early to tell.
Andrew Dabb (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
Resident Evil Netflix Teaser Trailers
On May 12th, Netflix released two teaser trailers for the new series:
The first teaser gives us an indication of how the story is going to be split into two sections. One in 2022 and the other 14 years later in 2036 London (more on this in a bit). The song you hear in the background of the first teaser is “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)”.
It gives us our first look at Wesker and more.
The second teaser trailer, which was not widely shared digs into some of the monsters we’ll see including a mutant spider and the underground worm monster that can be seen tunneling in the latter half of the teaser.
Some stills from the new #ResidentEvil Netflix teasers! pic.twitter.com/VMvABtRJL6
— What's on Netflix (@whatonnetflix) May 12, 2022
Before we dig even further into the weeds, our very first look at Resident Evil came the form of a first look teaser of a zombie Doberman plus two photos in the form of a stylized version of the dog seen in the teaser and the logo for the new series.
Resident Evil Netflix – Picture: Netflix
When will Resident Evil release on Netflix?
On March 17th, Netflix announced that Resident Evil would be coming on July 14th, 2022.
evil has evolved. RESIDENT EVIL is coming to Netflix July 14. pic.twitter.com/6uvDsSdRw2
— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) March 17, 2022
What is the plot of Resident Evil season 1?
The series was first reported on back in January 2019 according to Deadline. The following was said about the plot of the upcoming Resident Evil series;
“The drama series will explore the dark inner workings of the Umbrella Corporation and the new world order caused by the outbreak of the T-virus. While the project is in early stages, the series is expected to incorporate all of Resident Evil’s signature elements, including action sequences and easter eggs.”
In early 2020, Netflix’s Media site listed an official story description for the series (although it has since been removed). Here’s what the description said:
“The town of Clearfield, MD has long stood in the shadow of three seemingly unrelated behemoths – the Umbrella Corporation, the decommissioned Greenwood Asylum, and Washington, D.C. Today, twenty-six years after the discovery of the T-Virus, secrets held by the three will start to be revealed at the first signs of outbreak.”
From our understanding, the story takes place over two timelines.
The first of which involves 14-year-old sisters Jade and Billie Wesker moving to New Raccoon City. They come to realize that their father may be concealing dark secrets that could destroy the world.
The second timeline takes place over a decade in the future, where only 15 million humans remain, with over 6 billion animals and people being infected with the T-virus. It follows Jade, now thirty, in her efforts to survive in this world.
How is the Netflix series connected to the games? “The games are our backstory. Everything that happens in the games exists in this world,” says the showrunner Andrew Dabb.
Wesker in Resident Evil
Additionally in an interview with EW, Andrew Dabb revealed that the show follows the game’s timelines which means that Wesker has somehow been resurrected. He teased, “I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say the explanation for why Wesker is the way that he is and how he is still alive go hand in hand.”
How far in production is Resident Evil season one?
Official Production Status: Post-Production (Last Updated: 14/12/2021)
Initial pre-production was due to take place in April 2020 before the main shoot between June and October 2020. As you can probably guess, those plans were thrown out after COVID-19 ravaged any and all production schedules in 2020. A new date of February 2021 was reported, but that has since changed as well.
Thanks to a previous report from ProductionWeekly, we know that filming for Resident Evil took place between September 8th, 2021, and December 14th, 2021. As of the 14th of December, the production status on IMDb changed to post-production, which is in line with what was reported from ProductionWeekly.
Who is in the cast of Resident Evil season 1?
Our first look at the cast of the Resident Evil series was revealed by Lance Reddick, the actor who will portray the iconic role of Albert Wesker.
I'm so excited to finally announce this. Get ready to enter New Raccoon City with the cast of the new live-action Resident Evil series: I’ll be playing Albert Wesker! ELLA BALINSKA / TAMARA SMART / SIENA AGUDONG / ADELINE RUDOLPH / PAOLA NUNEZ. #GeekedWeek pic.twitter.com/vC55bSmq5K
— Lance Reddick (@lancereddick) June 11, 2021
Lance Riddick has announced to be playing Albert Wesker, and we’ve finally begun to learn about the roles of the remaining cast members.
- Lance Riddick – Albert Wesker
- Ella Balinska – TBA
- Tamara Smart – TBA
- Siena Agudong – TBA
- Paola Nunez – TBA
- Hanni Heinrich – Janet
- Mpho Osei Tutu – Yen
- Rizelle Januk – Billie’s Teacher
- Lea Vivier – Susana Franco
- Candice van Litsenborgh – TBA
- Ayushi Chhabra – Dr. Amrita Singh
- Richard Wright-Firth – Maskey
What is the episode count for Resident Evil?
Eight episodes are set to make up the first season.
Resident Evil season 2 rumors
We’ve heard a second season is already planned. Although the series has yet to be officially renewed (something we don’t expect to hear about until close to the actual release) we understand the second season is in active development.
In the aforementioned EW article, Dabb talks about the future of the series and how we may get to see Resident Evil: Village somehow come to our screens saying “We may not get there until season 5, but it is in our world. As we’re moving ahead and talking about scripts for season 2, the village is a resource we can draw on.”
Are you excited for the first season of Resident Evil? Also, how do you think they should approach Resident Evil? Let us know in the comments below!
Netflix Synopsis: "Years after a viral outbreak caused a global apocalypse, Jade Wesker vows to bring down those responsible while fighting to survive against the Infected."
