It’s official: Toby Wallace, the Australian actor known for his raw, electric performances in films like Smash Hit and The Newsreader, is stepping into the boots of an Assassin’s Creed operative — though no one’s saying which one yet. Netflix confirmed the casting on November 26, 2025, via an archived report from Deadline Hollywood, with details later echoed on the fan-run Assassin’s Creed Wiki on Fandom. This isn’t just another casting rumor. It’s the first concrete step forward for Netflix’s long-gestating live-action adaptation of Ubisoft’s billion-dollar franchise — and it signals that the studio means business.
From Game to Screen: A Decade-Long Journey
The Assassin’s Creed universe has spent over 15 years building lore across more than a dozen mainline games, novels, animated shorts, and even a 2016 theatrical film starring Michael Fassbender. That movie, despite its stunning visuals and solid fan reception, underperformed at the box office and stalled momentum. For years, fans wondered if the franchise could survive beyond the console. Then, in 2022, Netflix quietly greenlit a live-action series — no director, no cast, just a promise. Now, with Wallace attached, the project has finally moved from “in development” to “in production.”Who Is Toby Wallace?
Born May 1, 1995, in Melbourne, Australia, Wallace isn’t a household name — yet. But anyone who’s seen him in The Newsreader knows he can carry emotional weight with a glance. He’s the kind of actor who makes silence louder than dialogue. That’s perfect for Assassin’s Creed, where characters often communicate through movement, stealth, and instinct rather than monologues. The role he’s playing? Still secret. But given the franchise’s tradition of alternating between historical and modern-day storylines, he could be portraying a 16th-century Venetian assassin, a 21st-century Abstergo operative, or something entirely new. No official character name has been released, and neither Netflix nor Ubisoft has confirmed the setting or time period.Why This Matters Beyond Fans
Netflix isn’t just betting on a video game. It’s betting on a global brand with over 200 million players worldwide. The studio has already found success with The Witcher, Castlevania, and Resident Evil — each proving that fans will follow adaptations if they respect the source material. Wallace’s casting suggests Netflix is prioritizing acting depth over star power. This isn’t about putting a big name in a hood — it’s about finding someone who can embody the quiet intensity of the Assassins. And that’s a smarter move than you might think.Compare it to the 2016 film, which leaned heavily on spectacle and star charisma. This series seems to be going the opposite direction: grounded, character-driven, maybe even a little gritty. If they nail Wallace’s performance — and the writing matches his intensity — this could become the gold standard for video game adaptations.
Who’s Behind the Scenes?
We still don’t know who’s writing, directing, or showrunning. Ubisoft Entertainment SA, the French studio behind the games, is likely involved as a creative consultant, but there’s been no official statement from them. Netflix, Inc., headquartered in Los Gatos, California, is footing the bill and handling distribution. Deadline Hollywood, the industry’s go-to source for breaking entertainment news, broke the story — and their archive date of November 26, 2025, is the only confirmed timestamp we have.The Assassin’s Creed Wiki, maintained by a team of dedicated fans including administrators Cristophorus35 and Lady Kyashira, serves as the unofficial archive for every rumor, leak, and official announcement. Their page on the Netflix series is sparse — just the headline and the Deadline citation — but it’s the only public record we have. That’s telling. It means Netflix is keeping things tightly controlled.
What’s Next?
No filming dates. No release window. No other cast members. That’s normal at this stage — but also nerve-wracking for fans. The last time Netflix announced a major adaptation without details — The Last of Us — it took 18 months before they dropped the first trailer. If history repeats, we might not see Wallace in costume until late 2026 or early 2027.But here’s the twist: the franchise’s lore has always been about hidden histories and secret lineages. Maybe that’s the tone Netflix is going for. Maybe Wallace’s character won’t be a typical assassin — maybe he’s someone who discovers he’s one. Maybe the series will explore the psychological toll of the Creed, not just the swordplay. That’s what made the games great. And if the show follows that path, it could be the most compelling adaptation yet.
Why This Isn’t Just Another Video Game Show
Most game adaptations fail because they treat the source material like a checklist: “We need a sword. We need a hidden blade. We need a Templar.” But Assassin’s Creed is more than that. It’s about free will versus control. About memory, identity, and the cost of rebellion. Wallace’s casting suggests Netflix gets that. He’s not a superhero. He’s a human — conflicted, haunted, capable of violence but not defined by it. That’s the heart of the franchise. If they keep that, we might finally have a show that doesn’t just entertain… but resonates.Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Toby Wallace, and why is his casting significant?
Toby Wallace is an Australian actor born in 1995 in Melbourne, known for intense, understated roles in The Newsreader and Smash Hit. His casting is significant because he’s not a traditional action star — he brings emotional depth and physical subtlety, qualities essential for portraying the psychological complexity of an Assassin. This signals Netflix is prioritizing character over spectacle.
When will the Netflix 'Assassin’s Creed' series premiere?
No premiere date has been announced. The casting of Wallace in November 2025 marks the first major production step since the series was greenlit in 2022. Based on Netflix’s track record with similar adaptations, filming likely begins in 2026, with a release window of late 2027 or early 2028. Updates will come through official Netflix channels, not fan wikis.
Is this series connected to the 2016 movie?
No. The Netflix series is a standalone adaptation, not a sequel or reboot of the 2016 film starring Michael Fassbender. It will likely explore new timelines, characters, and possibly even new historical settings — perhaps drawing from the franchise’s deeper lore, like the Templar-Anti-Templar conflicts in 18th-century India or the American Revolution, which have never been fully explored on screen.
Why hasn’t Ubisoft commented on the casting?
Ubisoft Entertainment SA, the French game developer, typically stays quiet during early production stages unless they’re directly involved in creative decisions. Their silence doesn’t mean disinterest — it’s standard practice. They’ve licensed the IP to Netflix and likely retain creative oversight, but Netflix controls the final product. Expect official statements only when trailers or cast lists are ready.
Where will the series be filmed?
Filming locations haven’t been confirmed. However, given the franchise’s history of using real-world cities like Renaissance Florence, Revolutionary Paris, and Victorian London, it’s likely Netflix will shoot in Europe — possibly Italy, Spain, or the UK — for authentic architecture. Some scenes may be filmed in studios in Canada or the U.S. with green screen technology, as done in previous adaptations.
What makes this adaptation different from other video game shows?
Unlike many adaptations that focus on action set pieces, this one seems to be leaning into the philosophical core of Assassin’s Creed: the tension between freedom and control, and how memory shapes identity. With Toby Wallace — an actor known for emotional nuance — and no pressure to replicate the 2016 film’s tone, this could become the first video game series that feels less like a game and more like a haunting, human drama.