A Series of Unfortunate Events

Even as early set photos of Netflix’s Series of Unfortunate Events gave a quick look at Neil Patrick Harris’ Count Olaf, the dastardly villain was nowhere to be seen in the first teaser. No longer, as a new trailer and photos reveal the latest Lemony Snicket interpretation in all its frightful glory!

Lest you think Iron Fist would be the only major Netflix announcement today, Lemony Snicket and his Series of Unfortunate Events have some good … well, unfortunate news for you. Not only is the new adaptation set for a January premiere, you can watch the first teaser right now!

It’s taken some time to get off the ground, but at last Netflix’s take on Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events has gone before cameras. With it, prying eyes have obtained our first look at Neil Patrick Harris made up as the dastardly Count Olaf, along with a number of other freakish-looking favorites.

Well, there’s two properties you never expected to share a casting announcement. Yes, following his work on HBO’s The Brink, former Daily Show correspondent Aasif Mandvi has landed himself two shiny new gigs, one busting hackers for USA’s Mr. Robot, the other as a sinister uncle to Netflix’s Series of Unfortunate Events. I smell crossover!

Now that Netflix’s take on A Series of Unfortunate Events has officially locked down Neil Patrick Harris as the dastardly Count Olaf, a number of other famous faces are joining as well. Patrick Warburton is the latest, playing the eponymous author himself, in a series of unfortunate twists.

It’s been months since we learned Netflix’s take on Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events might have scored Neil Patrick Harris in the larger-than-life role of Count Olaf, enough that we’ve lost a showrunner since, and only now do we know for sure. The How I Met Your Mother star will indeed join the new Netflix series, putting on his best malevolently wacky.

However unofficial as of yet, Netflix’s adaptation of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events scored tremendous points even getting Neil Patrick Harris in talks for the role of Count Olaf, and it’s only natural our Violent and Klaus would follow. Such as it is, Supergirl star Malina Weissman has won the role of eldest Violet, joined by newcomer Louis Hynes as Klaus.

Whether or not the 2004 film of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events succeeded in adapting the books, few would argue that Jim Carrey’s take on the devious Count Olaf at least made an impression. Now, the Netflix series of the same name has an incredible get, tapping Neil Patrick Harris for the elaborate role, though perhaps at the cost of its showrunner.

Now that Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events adaptation has its official brain trust behind the camera, fans of Lemony Snicket’s work eagerly await casting news for the major roles, particularly against the prior film. And while our Count Olaf remains in the shadows for now, Netflix has officially begun casting the new Violet and Klaus.

When last we heard from Netflix’s proposed Series of Unfortunate Events adaptation, a teaser got the internet buzzing on potential improvements over the Jim Carrey theatrical version. That teaser proved to be fake, though we at last have some real development now that Barry Sonnenfeld and True Blood helmer Mark Hudis have signed on for the Lemony Snicket series.