Fans of stealth action have a major date to mark on their calendars. Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, a new adult animated series based on the popular Tom Clancy video games, is set to premiere on October 14, 2025, exclusively on Netflix. The series features Liev Schreiber as the voice of the legendary covert operative Sam Fisher, who is pulled back into the dangerous world of espionage for a high-stakes new mission.
The Story: A Legend Returns to the Field
The series picks up with Sam Fisher living a reclusive life in retirement after years of dangerous black-ops missions. His quiet existence is shattered when a wounded young operative seeks him out for help. This event pulls Fisher back into the world of the Fourth Echelon, the covert unit of the U.S. government where he once served.
The storyline focuses on a global conspiracy that forces Fisher to end his retirement. At the center of this conspiracy is Displace International, a company formerly run by Sam’s friend-turned-enemy, Douglas Shetland. With the world facing a new threat, Sam must team up with a younger agent, Zinnia McKenna, and get support from his old teammate Anna “Grim” Grímsdóttir to uncover the truth and stop the impending danger.
Lead writer Derek Kolstad explained the approach to the story, saying, “They let me do Old Man Sam and to actually use everything in the video games and all the ancillaries as his past resume as canon. That one to me was fun. [The show] respects the games that I loved and the character I just adored.”
The Voice Behind the Agent: Meet the Cast
The voice cast for Splinter Cell: Deathwatch brings together a talented group of actors to bring these iconic characters to life.
The most talked-about casting is undoubtedly Liev Schreiber taking on the role of Sam Fisher. Schreiber, known for his roles in Ray Donovan and various voice acting projects, steps into the shoes of the grizzled operative. This change confirms that Michael Ironside, who originally voiced Sam Fisher in the video games, will not be reprising the role for the series. Ironside himself stated that he felt he was too old for the part now, paving the way for Schreiber to take over.
Schreiber is joined by Kirby Howell-Baptiste (known for The Sandman) who voices Zinnia McKenna, the young operative who seeks Sam’s help. Janet Varney (from The Legend of Korra) plays Anna “Grim” Grímsdóttir, the technical operations officer who has been a constant support throughout the games. The cast is rounded out by Joel Oulette (from Trickster) who voices Thunder, another key operative in the story.
The Creative Force: From John Wick to Splinter Cell
The series benefits from a strong creative team led by Derek Kolstad, the creator and writer of the John Wick franchise. Kolstad serves as the lead writer and executive producer, and his involvement points towards a series with intense, high-stakes action. He has described the project as an opportunity to explore new territory while honoring the legacy of the games.
The animation is a collaborative international effort. The directing team includes Guillaume Dousse as director and Félicien Colmet-Daage as co-director. Animation production is handled by the Danish/French Sun Creature Studio and the French studio Fost. A Netflix executive has described the show as “a true international production” and “one of the most visceral shows we’ve produced in adult animation,” highlighting its cinematic look and detailed artwork.
A New Format for a Gaming Classic
Splinter Cell: Deathwatch will be released as an eight-episode season, with each episode running for approximately 30 minutes. Unlike weekly releases, Netflix will drop all episodes at once on October 14, 2025, allowing viewers to binge the entire season. The series is classified as an adult animated action series, ensuring it matches the more mature tone of the video games.
The decision to make an animated series, rather than live-action, allows for a visual style that can more freely adapt the globe-trotting missions and elaborate stealth sequences that are hallmarks of the Splinter Cell games without the constraints of a live-action budget.
For viewers eager to watch, the series will require an active Netflix subscription. The show will be available on all of Netflix’s subscription plans, from the ad-supported plan to the premium ad-free tier.
Derek Kolstad shared his goal for the series, stating, “With Deathwatch, my goal was to honor the legacy of Splinter Cell while pushing the narrative into new, uncharted territory—exploring the psychological and moral challenges that define true heroes.”
The series is produced by Ubisoft Film & Television, the entertainment division of the video game company that created the original Splinter Cell franchise. This direct involvement from Ubisoft helps ensure the adaptation stays true to the source material that fans know and love.
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