As it continues to expand its roster of commissioned programming, Netflix is unarguably going from strength to strength. This trend continues with its upcoming show, the Paramount TV-produced A Series Of Unfortunate Events – which is an episodic telling of the popular series of children’s novels, previously produced as a Jim Carrey movie. Now, the series has now cast two more of its key characters, as the project nears production.
The source material comprises 13 children’s novels by the author Daniel Handler – writing under the pseudonym Lemony Snicket. It centres on three siblings – Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire – who are orphaned when their parents perish in a mysterious and tragic fire. The children find themselves in the care of their sinister uncle, Count Olaf, whose primary motivation for welcoming the trio is limited to his pursuit of their considerable inheritance. The dark tale encompasses Olaf’s attempts to swindle the children, hunt them, and cause multiple deaths.
With Neil Patrick Harris already attached to the role of Count Olaf, it the casting of two of the children that has now been announced. Violet – the eldest child, renowned for her resourcefulness and inventions – will be played by Malina Weissman. Klaus – the middle child, who is a dedicated bibliophile – will be played by Louis Hynes. While A Series Of Unfortunate Events will constitute the debut of Hynes, Weissman has previously played the younger versions of the lead characters in both Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and the TV series Supergirl. Her imminent foray into the world of Netflix will be the first opportunity for the actress to portray a recurring character of her own in a drama series.
As yet, few other pieces have been set in place for this project – although it is reported that Barry Sonnenfeld will be in the director’s chair. For a show reflecting the required tone of A Series Of Unfortunate Events, having the visual master of The Addams Family and Men In Black fame at the helm could make this another giant success for Netflix.
