Assassin’s Creed Netflix series: Setting revealed – here’s what fans think

Franchises such as The Witcher and Fallout have already shown that TV adaptations of video games can work. Ubisoft is hoping to follow suit with its own live-action Assassin’s Creed series, produced in collaboration with Netflix and Ubisoft Film & Television. The project had been the subject of speculation for quite some time, but it was only officially confirmed in summer 2025. Until now, however, there had been no concrete details about the setting or overall direction. Netflix has now finally revealed the first key information: the series will take place in ancient Rome in 64 AD.

Netflix officially describes the project as an action-packed thriller about the secret war between two factions: one seeks to shape humanity’s future through control and manipulation, while the other fights for free will. In that sense, the series remains faithful to the franchise’s core conflict. The setting itself, however, is entirely new: there has never been an Assassin’s Creed set in ancient Rome before. Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood (currently priced at around $15 on Humble Bundle) is also set in Rome, but during the Renaissance – roughly 1,440 years later.

The series therefore does not appear to be directly tied to any of the games, but instead tells its own standalone story. That does not necessarily mean there will be no familiar faces, however. Since the Assassin’s Creed universe is built around memories accessed through the Animus, the series could theoretically still connect to known characters or earlier events in the franchise despite having its own plot. A return of familiar characters such as Ezio is therefore conceivable, but for now that remains pure speculation.

Fans like the setting, but remain cautious

Reaction on Reddit has been muted so far. Many still remember the 2016 film adaptation, which was not especially well received by fans due to its confusing plot and bland characters, and currently holds a 5.1 rating on Moviepilot. If Netflix has learned from those weaknesses, the present-day storyline and the Animus memories should be integrated more effectively from a narrative standpoint. The ancient Rome setting, on the other hand, has been received largely positively by fans, as the era of Nero and the Great Fire of Rome seems almost tailor-made for political intrigue and the franchise’s typical tone.

Filming has begun

Filming for the series has now begun in Rome. According to Netflix, production is taking place primarily at the historic Cinecittà Studios. The series is led by Roberto Patino (Westworld, Sons of Anarchy) and David Wiener (Halo, Homecoming), who serve as creators, showrunners, and executive producers. An overview of the cast so far can be found in Netflix’s official announcement. The series is currently expected to premiere in 2027, although that has not yet been officially confirmed.