There is a new series of Lemony Snicket, and this time it’s heading to the smaller screen and it looks incredible.
Neil Patrick Harris (‘How I Met Your Mother’s Barney) is unrecognisable in the role of Count Olaf, famously played by Jim Carrey in the 2004 movie of the same name.
The movie actually inspired me to read the Daniel Handler book series (13 stories in all) which I thoroughly enjoyed. Delightfully dark as a children’s series and yet with miraculous escapes for the children at every seemingly impossible turn.
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE
It really could be renamed ‘Mission Impossible: Orphans’. The story centers around three newly orphaned children (Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire) who are being stalked at every turn by their evil uncle Count Olaf, who is trying to steal the family inheritance.
The trailer really seems to catch the gothic steampunk environment that the books are described as being set in. The casting of Harris as Olaf is unexpected but seems absolutely spot on. Shades of the Dr Horrible character he played in the 2008 ‘Dr Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog’ which became a cult hit. And with talent such as Catherine O’Hara, Alfre Woodard and Usman Ally making up the supporting cast, it really seems like this is going to become an immensely popular show.
If you have not yet been introduced to the world of Lemony Snicket (who is the voice of the author narrating each story) then I suggest you do yourselves a favour and get hold of the books as preparation for the tv series. Then head along to Netflix and pull up a front row seat.