Netflix has found its new Robert Langdon. The streaming service announced on July 27, 2026, that Morgan Spector, known for his role in HBO’s The Gilded Age, will take on the iconic role of the Harvard symbologist in an upcoming series adaptation of Dan Brown’s novel The Secret of Secrets.
Spector, 45, steps into the shoes previously worn by Tom Hanks, who played Langdon in three film adaptations: The Da Vinci Code (2006), Angels & Demons (2009), and Inferno (2016). The new series marks the first time the character will be portrayed in a television format since the short-lived Peacock series The Lost Symbol in 2021, which featured Ashley Zukerman as a younger version of Langdon.
The New Robert Langdon
Morgan Spector, who plays wealthy railroad tycoon George Russell on The Gilded Age, will lead the untitled series as Robert Langdon. The character is described as a Harvard professor and world-renowned symbologist whose eidetic memory and puzzle-solving abilities help him unravel mysteries at the intersection of science and spirituality.
Spector’s casting comes after weeks of speculation. Reports in early July indicated that the actor was in negotiations for the role. Netflix made the official announcement on Monday, confirming that Spector had closed a deal to lead the series.
The actor’s previous credits include Boardwalk Empire, Homeland, The Plot Against America, and Black Rabbit. Despite taking on the Langdon role, Spector is expected to continue his work on The Gilded Age, with scheduling arrangements allowing him to balance both projects should the HBO series receive a fifth season renewal.
Showrunner Carlton Cuse on the Casting
Carlton Cuse, the showrunner, writer, and executive producer for the series, expressed strong confidence in the casting decision. Cuse, known for his work on Lost, Bates Motel, and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, will co-create the series alongside Dan Brown.
Morgan is a truly wonderful actor whose work is always filled with intelligence, thoughtfulness and humanity. He’s the perfect fit for Robert Langdon — a brilliant academic whose curiosity, intelligence and intellect are the tools of his trade.
Cuse also shared his enthusiasm for adapting Brown’s work for television, noting that the novel format allows for a more complete exploration of the story. He described the project as a propulsive thriller set in Prague, with elements of a love story and a provocative exploration of human consciousness. The eight-hour series format, he explained, offers an opportunity to fully realize the breadth and scope of what Dan Brown does on the screen.
The Story Behind The Secret of Secrets
The series is based on Dan Brown’s 2025 novel The Secret of Secrets, the sixth installment in the Robert Langdon book series. The novel was published by Doubleday on September 9, 2025.
According to Netflix’s official logline, the story follows symbologist Robert Langdon as he races against ancient forces and time to rescue a missing scientist and her groundbreaking manuscript. The manuscript’s discoveries have the power to forever change humanity’s understanding of the mind.
The series adaptation will blend futuristic science with mystical lore, delivering the suspense and international intrigue that has made the Langdon stories a global phenomenon. The show is currently untitled, and a release date has not yet been announced.
The Robert Langdon Legacy
Robert Langdon first appeared in Brown’s 2000 novel Angels & Demons, followed by The Da Vinci Code in 2003, which became one of the highest-selling books of all time. The character has since appeared in The Lost Symbol (2009), Inferno (2013), Origin (2017), and now The Secret of Secrets (2025).
Tom Hanks brought Langdon to the big screen in three films directed by Ron Howard. The Da Vinci Code earned more than $800 million at the global box office, while the entire film franchise has grossed approximately $2.24 billion worldwide.
Brown’s novels have sold more than 250 million copies in 56 languages, making Robert Langdon one of modern literature’s most recognizable protagonists.
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What’s Next for the Series
While Spector’s casting is official, additional cast members have not yet been confirmed. However, reports indicate that Rebecca Hall, who is Spector’s wife in real life, is in talks to play the female lead in the series. Hall is a BAFTA Award-winning actress known for her work in films such as The Town and Christine.
The project landed at Netflix in May 2025 with a straight-to-series order. Cuse and Brown will executive produce alongside Emma Forman for Genre-Arts and Zoe Robyn. The series joins Netflix’s growing collection of book-to-screen adaptations, including Bridgerton, The Queen’s Gambit, and 3 Body Problem.
Fans of Dan Brown’s work can read The Secret of Secrets novel, which is currently available, to get a sense of the story that will unfold in the upcoming series. The show’s production timeline and premiere date remain unannounced.
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