Netflix has given an 8-episode series order to Grendel based on the vigilante character created by Matt Wagner who has been featured in comics published by Dark Horse Comics. Abubakr Ali has landed the lead role of Hunter Rose a.k.a. Grendel for the show, which features Supernatural’s Andrew Dabb as writer and showrunner.
Grendel follows Hunter Rose, a gifted fencer, writer and assassin as, seeking to avenge the death of a lost love, he goes to war with New York’s criminal underworld, only to realize…why beat them, when you can join them?
A Netflix original production coming out of Netflix’s first look deal with Dark Horse, this continues their partnership which has also included The Umbrella Academy and the upcoming animated series Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles which features Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo character. Also in the Grendel cast are Jaime Ray Newman as Jocasta Rose, Julian Black Antelope as Argent, Madeline Zima as Liz Sparks, Kevin Corrigan as Barry Palumbo, Emma Ho as Stacy Palumbo, Erik Palladino as Teddy Ciccone, Brittany Allen as Annabelle Wright, and Andy Mientus as Larry Stohler.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled about the GRENDEL saga, one of the longest-running independent comics series, finally being translated into live-action for the screen,” Grendel creator Matt Wagner said in a statement. “Under the sharp guidance of showrunner Andrew Dabb, our incredible creative team, sure-to-be stellar cast and Dark Horse Entertainment have teamed with Netflix to produce this provocative adaptation that will bring my characters and concepts to an all new audience and yet still provide excitement and surprises for die-hard fans. I’m especially excited to see Abubakr Ali bring the character of Grendel/Hunter Rose to life — he has the charisma, style and vital edginess that I’ve been envisioning in the role for years.”
