The Resident Evil franchise is coming back to our screens in a big way. Not only is Sony working on a movie reboot, but Netflix has two separate TV series in development – one is animation Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness, arriving next month, and the other is a live-action show based around the universe’s most notorious villain, Albert Wesker. And as part of the streamer’s Geeked Week celebrations, Netflix has now announced the full cast for the project, which is simply titled Resident Evil.
Lance Reddick (Godzilla vs. Kong) is set to star as Wesker, with Ella Balinska (Charlie’s Angels), Tamara Smart (Artemis Fowl), Siena Agudong (F9), Paola Nunez (Bad Boys For Life) and Adeline Rudolph (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) rounding out the primary ensemble. Reddick is the only one whose role has been revealed, though fans should be prepared for some of these actors to potentially be playing new characters and not those we know from the games. In a press release, Netflix said the show will tell “a brand new story” that will build on Capcom’s legendary franchise.
According to leaked plot details, the story will take place over two timelines. One will follow Wesker’s teenage daughters, Jade and Billie, as they move to Raccoon City and discover the truth about their father’s work. The second timeline will then jump forward 10 years after the apocalypse has occurred, and see Jade and Billie attempting to survive in the world their dad created. The official logline, however, teases a potential third timeline. Here’s how it reads:
“Nearly three decades after the discovery of the T-virus, an outbreak reveals the Umbrella Corporation’s dark secrets.”
Supernatural EP Andrew Dabb will serve as showrunner, working with producer Mary Leah Sutton and EPs Robert Kulzer and Oliver Berben of Constantin Films. Shooting is underway now on the first season, which will consist of eight 60 minute episodes. A release date has yet to be given, but it’s likely this Resident Evil live-action series will arrive sometime after Sony’s Resident Evil: Welcome to Racoon City hits theaters in November.
