Looks like Neil Patrick Harris is headed to the next popular medium of television — Netflix. According to Deadline , Netflix will release the new series, A Series Of Unfortunate Events , which will see Neil Patrick Harris playing the villain.
This isn’t the first time we’re seeing A Series Of Unfortunate Events come to life in the form of live action. Back in the early 00s, actor Jim Carrey starred as villain Count Olaf. This time around, Harris will play the villain, and we’re willing to bet it won’t be as dark as Carrey’s version, and a bit more razzle dazzle, as Harris is known to go that route.
“Narrated by Snicket, A Series Of Unfortunate Events recounts the tale of the orphaned children Violet (Malina Weissman), Klaus (Louis Hynes) and Sunny Baudelairs at the hands of the villainous Count Olaf (Harris), as they face trials and tribulations, misfortunes and an evil uncle in search of their fortune, all in their quest to uncover the secret of their parents’ deaths.”
If successful, we could easily see this becoming a popular series among young adults, which Netflix has yet to conquer in terms of original content. As for Harris, this is his second start in television after he took his final bow as womanizer Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother . He’s done other work since playing the womanizer for eight years. The first was a failed variety show, Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris , which premiered last year but failed to capture an audience to have any real staying power. The new series seems like a much better fit for Harris, and a chance to possibly see him stretch his talents in a medium other than Broadway.
Sophia Smith from CrossMap agrees that Harris is perfect to take on the role of Count Olaf.
“… honestly Neil Patrick Harris is perfect for the role. If ever, this is not the first time that Harris will play the role of the villain as he played ‘Doctor Horrible’ in ‘Doctor Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog’-a web series by Joss Whedon. If you still haven’t seen it; I suggest you should, it’s all over YouTube. His performance as Doctor Horrible was so amazing that you’ll feel for the character even if he was a villain and I think that’s the warmth that Count Olaf would need.”
Despite the variety show failing, Neil Patrick Harris still found plum roles in guest starring arcs thanks to Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story , which saw Harris as a killing magician named Chester Creb. Harris was also featured as the suspicious ex-boyfriend in Gone Girl , and was a highlight in the terribly received film A Million Ways to Die in the West .
As previously reported by the Inquisitr , author Lemony Snicket is thrilled about Netflix bringing his popular stories into a live adaptation for TV.
“I can’t believe it. After years of providing top-quality entertainment on demand, Netflix is risking its reputation and its success by associating itself with my dismaying and upsetting books.”
Fans seem to be excited about Netflix’s latest plans for original content.
NEIL PATRICK HARRIS IS GONNA PLAY COUNT OLAF NETFLIX’S SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS??? OMG
— sally (@nicksnewgirl) February 9, 2016
NETFLIX IS MAKING A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS INTO A TV SERIES WITH NEIL PATRICK HARRIS AS OLAF OMG YES… aaaand breathe
— Arabella (@ArabellaGolby) January 17, 2016
OHHHH MYYY GOOOODDDDDDD! So many amazing things coming up. But NPH takes the win. Because NPH. <3 https://t.co/uFe1A7fmcQ
— Craig Michael Scott (@CMSArtDesign) March 15, 2016
So far, it’s not yet known when the series will debut on the streaming service.
What do you think about Netflix’s brand new series?
[Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions]
