Netflix is preparing to launch Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, the first animated adaptation of Ubisoft’s long-running stealth video game franchise.
The series arrives October 14, 2025, introducing a new chapter for legendary operative Sam Fisher while expanding the franchise into serialized storytelling.
A New Mission for Sam Fisher
The story begins when a wounded young operative seeks help from Sam Fisher, pulling the retired agent back into the dangerous world he left behind. This logline mirrors the video game’s themes of espionage, moral ambiguity, and tactical precision, while positioning Fisher as a mentor as well as a field operative.
Casting Liev Schreiber as Sam Fisher gives the character a grounded, commanding presence. Schreiber’s ability to convey quiet authority makes him a natural fit for the role, while Kirby Howell-Baptiste’s Zinnia Mckenna adds a younger, dynamic counterpart.
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Derek Kolstad’s Vision
Derek Kolstad, best known as the creator of John Wick, serves as writer and executive producer. His involvement suggests a darker, high-stakes approach that blends the stylized action of his film work with the slow-burn tension of espionage.
Animation duties are led by Sun Creature and Fost, known for combining cinematic storytelling with expressive, visually layered styles. Directors Guillaume Dousse and Félicien Colmet-Daage bring experience in animated action, giving the series an opportunity to explore sequences that live-action might limit.
The Weight of Adaptation
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Deathwatch faces the challenge of balancing fidelity to the source material with the demands of serialized television. The franchise has built its reputation on stealth gameplay, intricate world-building, and Fisher’s moral code. An eight-episode run of half-hour installments offers space for both action-driven set pieces and deeper character exploration.
The creative team’s decision to use animation signals a commitment to visual experimentation. Unlike a live-action series, animation allows for greater freedom in staging elaborate stealth missions and exploring global backdrops without budget constraints.
Why Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Deathwatch Matters
Video game adaptations have a mixed history, but Netflix has leaned into the medium with growing confidence. The success of series like Arcane and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners proved animation can capture the complexity of gaming worlds while appealing to broader audiences.
By pairing Ubisoft with a filmmaker like Kolstad, Deathwatch carries both brand recognition and creative ambition. For longtime fans, it offers the return of Sam Fisher in a new format. For newcomers, it works as an accessible entry point into a universe that has shaped modern stealth storytelling.
Looking Ahead to Netflix’s Launch
With its October 14 release date, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Deathwatch joins a crowded fall lineup but arrives with strong credentials: a proven creative team, a recognizable lead, and a legacy franchise to draw on.
Whether it resonates will depend on how well it balances tension, character, and action in its eight episodes. But at minimum, it positions Netflix as the current leader in adapting video games for serialized television.
Key Details
- Title: Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Deathwatch
- Release Date: October 14, 2025
- Episodes: 8 x 30 minutes
- Cast: Liev Schreiber (Sam Fisher), Kirby Howell-Baptiste (Zinnia Mckenna)
- Writer/Executive Producer: Derek Kolstad (John Wick)
- Director: Guillaume Dousse
- Co-Director: Félicien Colmet-Daage
- Producers: Ubisoft Film & Television, Sun Creature, Fost
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