This is a sponsored post. All opinions are allmine. “This story will be dreadful, melancholy and calamitous.” Okay, wait. Pause. Rewind. I wasn’t talking about this blog. Rather, I was quoting Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. Why you may ask? Well, because it’ll be hitting Netflix worldwide on Friday, January 13 12:01 a.m. (PT)! This household is so excited, we can hardly contain ourselves!
A Classic Book Series Turns Into A Netflix Series
You have no idea how ecstatic I was to hear that Netflix would be taking on the Unfortunate Events series. Season one of will consist of eight one-hour episodes. Each episode will span one half of a novel. The Netflix series is based on the series of thirteen internationally best-selling children’s novels by Daniel Handler.
When the books first came out, the kids devoured them as quickly as I could buy them. I must say, I read them as well and I thoroughly enjoyed them! The novels are easy to get hooked on. The narrative takes you into the story and the plot never gets boring. I’m eager to see how it’ll be on the Netflix screen.
A Riveting Storyline
After losing their wealthy parents in a fire, the Baudelaires siblings are whisked away to live with their closest relative: Count Olaf. Olaf is a professional actor who is eccentric, bizarre and money-hungry. Olaf will do anything to become wealthy through the Baudelaires’ misfortune. Through greed, Count Olaf goes through a number of tactics in order to steal the children’s inheritance.
A Series of Unfortunate Events is written in 13 books. Each novel is unique and has adventurous plot lines and twists. For the Netflix series, each episode will represent half a novel. This gives fans a chance to indulge in every detail of the series. Netflix has paid close attention to put together a well thought-out “page-to-screen” production. They have made sure to include all the important elements while moving at a brisk, cinematic pace. The Netflix series was directed by the extremely talented Barry Sonnenfeld.
Meet The Cast
Neil Patrick Harris: Best known for his roles as Doogie Howser (Doogie Howser, M.D.) and Barney Stinson (How I Met Your Mother), Neil Patrick Harris will be taking on the eccentric role of Count Olaf. On top of being the villain that we all love to hate, Mr. Harris will also be serving as producer of the highly-anticipated series. “Count Olaf is, quite honestly, just a horrible person. It’s called A Series of Unfortunate Events due in great part to him,” Harris states.
Malina Weissman: Described as “…beautiful, smart, energetic,” by A Series of Unfortunate Events director, Barry Sonnenfeld, Miss Weissman will be taking on the role of the oldest Baudelaire child, Violet. Malina loves the fact that Violet’s character is strong and determined.
Louis Hynes: Hynes will be playing Klaus Baudelaire, the middle child of the 3 “out-of-luck” siblings. Slightly introverted, a big reader and well-known for his impressive memory, Hynes was the perfect casting for Klaus.
Presley Smith: Playing the youngest of the three siblings is Presley Smith as Sunny Baudelaire.
Patrick Warburton: He is known for his roles in such television hits as Seinfeld and Rules of Engagement. Director Barry Sonnenfeld said Warburton is one of those actors who is funny, no matter what he does. He has been tasked with narrating the tale as Daniel Handler’s deadpan alter-ego. Lemony Snicket appears throughout all the episodes, telling the story from the future. He is shown in the frame with the characters, but he’s telling the story not from (when) this event is happening but from the future. Previously, Sonnenfeld and Warburton worked together on the TV series The Tick and in the blockbuster film Men in Black II.
Other notable actors include: K. Todd Freeman (The Dark Knight, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) as the blundering banker at Mulctuary Money Management and (Seinfeld, Rules of Engagement) as Lemony Snicket. Throughout the series, you will also catch performances by Joan Cusack, Alfre Woodard, Catherine O’Hara and Aasif Mandvi.
Costume And Set Design
As if the storyline wasn’t exciting on its own, the series’ costume and set design is far more impressive than you could imagine. Filmed in Vancouver, Canada, you’ll be taken away with the series’ breathtaking backdrops – all of which are made from scratch. If you’re a fan to the books, you’ll be able to point out details in the characters’ wardrobe and settings. The creators of the series wanted to put together a world that was unique to the story, while staying true to the novel’s’ descriptions.
Get your popcorn ready! We’ve got a few more days until the big release! You can stream Netflix from your mobile device, computer, TV or gaming system for less than $15 a month! You can also sign up for their DVD plan if you prefer watching it that way. Either way, you are getting what you want to watch, right at your fingertips! Be sure to follow Netflix on Facebook and Twitter!
Have you/your kids read the Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events books? Which is your favorite book or character?
