Netflix is moving forward with The God of the Woods Netflix series, a new drama adapted from Liz Moore’s bestselling 2024 novel. The project marks Moore’s return to television following Long Bright River, with Moore and Liz Hannah set to serve as co-showrunners, writers, and executive producers.
The God of the Woods centers on a child’s disappearance that resurfaces buried family history and unresolved trauma. While the story begins with a missing thirteen-year-old girl, the series frames the case as part of a broader, multigenerational mystery tied to wealth, power, and long-held secrets.
A Disappearance at the Center of the Story
At the heart of The God of the Woods is Barbara Van Laar, a teenager who vanishes from her family’s summer camp in the Adirondacks. The disappearance does not exist in isolation. According to the official synopsis, it follows an earlier family tragedy that may be connected, prompting renewed scrutiny of the Van Laar family’s past.
The series is described as a multigenerational drama. As investigators and family members search for answers, long-standing class tensions and personal betrayals come into focus. The press materials emphasize that the narrative unfolds across different timelines, with past and present intersecting as the family’s public image begins to fracture.
Based on Liz Moore’s Bestselling Novel
The God of the Woods Netflix series is based on Moore’s New York Times bestselling novel of the same name, published in 2024. The book gained attention for its layered structure and focus on privilege, memory, and institutional silence, themes that remain central to the screen adaptation.
Liz Hannah joins Moore as co-showrunner and co-writer. Hannah’s previous television credits include Mindhunter and The Girl from Plainville. Together, Moore and Hannah are responsible for shaping the adaptation, and both serve as executive producers.
Netflix has not announced whether the series will follow the novel’s structure exactly or how closely it will adhere to specific plot beats. No episode synopses or script excerpts have been released.
Production Details and Creative Team
Produced by Sony Pictures Television, The God of the Woods Netflix series also lists Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty as executive producers for Original Film. Netflix confirmed that the project is currently in development, though no filming timeline has been disclosed.
No directors have been announced, and there is no information yet regarding the episode count or format beyond its classification as a scripted series. Netflix has not identified the show as either a limited series or an ongoing production.
Cast and Release Timing Remain Unannounced
As of now, Netflix has not confirmed any casting details for The God of the Woods. No actors have officially joined the project, with further announcements expected at a later date.
There is also no release date attached to the series. Netflix has stated only that the project is in development, with additional updates to follow as they become available.
A Familiar Narrative Space for Netflix
With The God of the Woods, Netflix continues to invest in adaptations of contemporary literary fiction that blend mystery with social commentary. The project aligns with Netflix’s recent interest in character-driven dramas centered on family dynamics and institutional power.
Key Details
- Title: The God of the Woods
- Netflix title: The God of the Woods
- Source material: Based on Liz Moore’s bestselling 2024 novel The God of the Woods
- Creators / showrunners: Liz Moore and Liz Hannah
- Writers: Liz Moore and Liz Hannah
- Executive producers: Liz Moore, Liz Hannah, Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty
- Production company: Sony Pictures Television
- Story focus: The disappearance of 13-year-old Barbara Van Laar and a related earlier family tragedy
- Setting: The Adirondacks
- Cast: Not yet announced
- Episode count: Not announced
- Release date: Not announced
