A few years back, Jim Carrey played the nefarious Uncle Olaf in the big screen version of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. Now, that children’s book series is coming to Netflix as a show and they have their own Olaf: Neil Patrick Harris.
The Hollywood Reporter broke the news of the casting, which also comes with a caveat. Mark Hudis (That ‘70s Show) was previously on board as showrunner, but has now left, leaving the show without someone at the helm. It does, however, have Barry Sonnenfeld (Men in Black) attached to direct at least some of the 13 episodes Netflix has ordered (Sonnenfeld produced the movie version.)
A Series of Unfortunate Events is a series of books written by Lemony Snicket, the pen name of author Daniel Handler. They follow three children who lose their parents and are placed in the care of their evil Uncle Olaf. Olaf wants to steal their fortune and “unfortunate events” take place as he schemes and the kids wind up in adventures.
The 2004 movie was a moderate hit. But this medium—a 13-episode Netflix series—feels more fitting for the material, especially since there are 13 total books. The series does not yet have a premiere date.
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