Splinter Cell: Deathwatch coming to Netflix this October

Ubisoft’s long-awaited animated series, Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, finally has a release date—October 14—and a longer trailer to whet fans’ appetites. The anime stars Liev Schreiber as Sam Fisher and comedian Janet Varney as Anna “Grim” Grímsdóttir. After nearly five years in production, it’s a relief to see something from the franchise making it to screens, especially given the many Ubisoft projects that remain in limbo.

In the meantime, a planned Splinter Cell movie starring Tom Hardy was canceled, and there’s been little news on other Ubisoft adaptations like Watch_Dogs, The Division, or even a Just Dance movie. So this series feels almost miraculous.

The new trailer, however, is a bit surprising. Michael Ironside, who famously voiced Fisher in the games, said in 2024 he was “too old” at 75 to reprise the role, handing it off to the 57-year-old Schreiber. Yet, the trailer shows a noticeably older Sam, looking closer to Ironside’s age. The plot remains vague, focusing on a personal story for Fisher after the death of someone named Douglas Shetland. The teaser mostly features gunfights and some clumsy moments—like Sam confusing people for knife racks. On the bright side, the iconic three-light goggles do make a brief appearance, though oddly not highlighted.

The creative team behind the show offers hope. Derek Kolstad, who revitalized Bob Odenkirk as an action star in Nobody and wrote the first three John Wick films, is the creator. The writing team also includes contributors from Shooter and some newcomers. While the teaser lacks clear direction, Kolstad’s involvement suggests the full series will have more depth.

Perhaps the older-looking Sam fits the timeline, considering the last Splinter Cell game came out 12 years ago. It might be a nod to longtime fans, reminding them that this is Fisher’s world—aged but still dangerous.