Watchmen: Everything We Know About HBO's Adaptation of the Beloved Graphic Novel

Updated on May 13, 2019 at 10:35 AM

The world is getting another taste of Alan Moore's critically acclaimed comic series Watchmen, but this time it'll be on the small screen. HBO is taking on the beloved series with Lost cocreator Damon Lindelof at the helm as showrunner. The network is keeping mum on plot specifics — though the new teaser hints at a very bleak storyline — but Lindelof wrote a note to fans in which he shared his vision. The series won't be a retelling of the graphic novel, but an original story set in the world of Watchmen in the present day. Keep reading for all the details of the upcoming series, and stay tuned for updates!

The Teaser

Watch it above!

The Plot

Though HBO has been mum about details, Lindelof has taken to his Instagram page to both assure fans and share his vision. He's described the graphic novel as the Old Testament, and his Watchmen as the New Testament. "We have no desire to 'adapt' the twelve issues Mr. Moore and Mr. Gibbons created thirty years ago," he wrote. "Those issues are sacred ground and will not be retread nor recreated nor reproduced nor rebooted." He goes on to say that, just like the New Testament didn't wipe anything out from the Old Testament, his Watchmen will do the same. Everything that happened before is canon in the HBO series.

So what exactly will Watchmen be about? According to Lindelof, the story will be an original set in the modern-day world, which you get a peek at in the teaser. However, it appears as though the world is drastically different following the comic's tragic events.

As Lindelof's post states, "It must ask new questions and explore the world through a fresh lens. Most importantly, it must be contemporary. The Old Testament was specific to the Eighties of Reagan and Thatcher and Gorbachev. Ours needs to resonate with the frequency of Trump and May and Putin and the horse that he rides around on, shirtless. And speaking of Horsemen, The End of the World is off the table . . . which means the heroes and villains — as if the two are distinguishable — are playing for different stakes entirely."

The Cast

Watchmen boasts a very interesting cast. Deadline revealed that Jeremy Irons — who will play Adrian Veidt — is set to join Regina King, Don Johnson, Tim Blake Nelson, Louis Gossett Jr., Adelaide Clemens, and Andrew Howard in the HBO pilot. Tom Mison has also signed on to join the cast, along with Frances Fisher and Jacob Ming-Trent. Read more about the show's cast and characters here.

The Production Team

Lindelof will be juggling two hats as the writer and executive producer of the HBO pilot. The Leftovers' Nicole Kassell will direct and also executive produce, along with Reaper's Tom Spezialy.

The Premiere Date

HBO hasn't shared the official premiere date yet, but the latest teaser did reveal it's coming this Fall.