HBO’s BALDUR'S GATE Series Taps D&D Veteran Chris Perkins as Consultant, but Larian Isn’t Involved

HBO’s upcoming Baldur’s Gate live-action series is already shaping up to be one of the most intriguing video game adaptations in development.

The show will serve as a sequel to the massively successful Dungeons & Dragons RPG, but one key player from the game’s success story won’t be part of the production. Larian Studios, the team behind the 2023 hit, doesn’t appear to be involved.

Still, this series won’t be stepping into the Forgotten Realms without a seasoned guide. According to Deadline, Chris Perkins, former Wizards of the Coast game architect and longtime Dungeons & Dragons creative force, has signed on as a consultant for the HBO adaptation.

That’s a major get for the series. Perkins spent nearly three decades shaping D&D lore, mechanics, and storytelling, and his involvement suggests the show plans to treat the source material with real care.

The series will be overseen by Craig Mazin, co-creator of HBO’s The Last of Us, who has already proven he knows how to translate beloved video games into prestige television.

With Mazin steering the ship and Perkins advising on the intricacies of the world, fans can probably expect a version of Baldur’s Gate that stays true to the tone, rules, and flavor of Dungeons & Dragons as players know it.

Perkins’ history with D&D runs deep. He joined Wizards of the Coast in 1997 as editor of Dungeon Magazine, the monthly publication packed with adventures and supplemental material for tabletop players.

By 2007, he was working directly on D&D as a designer. Over time, he rose through the ranks to become “game architect,” helping oversee the direction and evolution of the entire franchise. That kind of institutional knowledge is exactly what a sprawling fantasy adaptation needs.

The Baldur’s Gate video game series originally launched in the late ’90s, but it exploded back into the spotlight with 2023’s Baldur’s Gate 3 from Larian Studios. The game became a massive hit, earning critical acclaim and reigniting interest in story-driven RPGs.

Set in the iconic Forgotten Realms setting, the series draws from one of Dungeons & Dragons’ most expansive and well-established worlds. Forgotten Realms has served as the default D&D backdrop for years, spawning novels, tabletop campaigns, spin-off games, and even the criminally underrated film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.

While some fans may be disappointed that Larian isn’t directly involved in the TV sequel, Perkins’ presence should ease concerns about authenticity. He understands the rules, the mythology, and the spirit of D&D at a foundational level. Pairing that expertise with Mazin’s experience adapting complex game narratives could result in something pretty special.

There’s no premiere date set yet for HBO’s Baldur’s Gate 3 series, but between the creative team assembling behind it and the enduring popularity of the franchise, this is one fantasy adaptation worth keeping a close eye on.