The God of the Woods Netflix adaptation has cast Maya Hawke in a leading role, the streamer confirmed as part of its latest series announcement.
The project is based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Liz Moore and will be developed as a multi-generational drama set in the Adirondacks. Hawke joins the series as Judy Luptack, an investigator tasked with examining the disappearance of a young girl at a summer camp.
Netflix announced the casting alongside key production details, including the creative team and studio backing the adaptation.
A mystery rooted in family history and power
The series centers on the Van Laar family and the disappearance of 13-year-old Barbara Van Laar from a summer camp in upstate New York.
According to the official logline, the case unfolds in the shadow of an earlier family tragedy that may be connected. As the investigation progresses, the story moves between past and present, revealing long-held secrets within the family.
The narrative explores class divisions, wealth, and influence, with the Van Laars’ position in the community becoming a central factor as the mystery deepens.
Maya Hawke’s role as Judy Luptack
In The God of the Woods, Maya Hawke plays Judy Luptack, a determined investigator working for the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Judy is positioned as the first female investigator in a male-dominated environment, assigned to lead the case involving the missing girl. Her role places her at the center of the unfolding investigation, navigating both the case itself and the broader social dynamics surrounding it.
Hawke is known to Netflix audiences for her role as Robin Buckley in Stranger Things. Her recent work also includes voice acting in Inside Out 2 and roles in Wishful Thinking and Wildcat.
In addition to acting, Hawke has crafted an acclaimed independent music career, releasing three lauded albums of music to date, ‘Moss’ (2022), ‘Blush’ (2020), and ‘Chaos Angel’ (2024), which showcase her natural gift for songwriting. Her forthcoming fourth album, ‘Maitreya Corso,’ is set for release on May 1.
Creative team and production background
The series is led by co-showrunners and executive producers Liz Hannah and Liz Moore.
Hannah’s previous credits include The Girl from Plainville, Mindhunter, and The Post. Moore, who also wrote the source novel, is known for Long Bright River. Both serve as writers on the project.
Executive producers Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty are attached through Original Film, with Sony Pictures Television producing the series.
Source material and setting
The God of the Woods draws directly from Liz Moore’s novel, which is set in the Adirondacks and spans multiple timelines.
The setting plays a central role in the story, with the events anchored around a summer camp and the surrounding community. The narrative structure moves across different periods, connecting past events to the present-day investigation.
The adaptation retains the novel’s focus on family legacy and the consequences tied to power and privilege.
Key Details
- Release date: Not yet announced
- Episode count: Not yet confirmed
- Cast: Maya Hawke as Judy Luptack
- Creators/showrunners: Liz Hannah and Liz Moore
- Executive producers: Liz Hannah, Liz Moore, Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty
- Studio: Sony Pictures Television
- Production company: Original Film
- Source material: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
- Setting: Adirondacks, New York
- Premise: A female investigator examines the disappearance of a young girl tied to a powerful family’s past and present secrets
