SPLINTER CELL Series Creator Derek Kolstad Explains Why Sam Fisher Is “Not the Best”

Netflix’s upcoming animated series Splinter Cell: Deathwatch is bringing back stealth icon Sam Fisher, but not exactly the way longtime fans might expect. Series creator Derek Kolstad, the writer behind John Wick and Nobody, recently opened up about his approach to the character, and he doesn’t see Sam Fisher as ultimate ghost operative.

Kolstad told Den of Geek:

“One of the things that I like about Sam Fisher, John Wick, and Hutch Mansell [from Nobody] is that, yes, they’re pretty badass at what they do but, more importantly, they’re not the best. They get beat up.”

That an interesting outlook considering Fisher’s reputation as one of gaming’s most elite covert agents, but Kolstad seems intent on making him more grounded and vulnerable.

This means that Deathwatch might lean toward a grittier, hands-on style similar to Splinter Cell: Conviction, rather than the purely shadow-driven approach from the original trilogy.

In the early games, Fisher was a master of infiltration, relying on high-tech gadgets and his iconic night vision goggles to ghost through missions without leaving a trace.

Kolstad went on to explain:

“You look at the games, and he’s incredibly adept and comfortable at tech, but sometimes a bullet or a blade or the ripping out of some cord is your best line of defense.”

That philosophy hints at a Fisher who isn’t invincible, and whose fights might be a little more brutal and desperate this time around. But Kolstad believes the heart of the character remains the same.

“I always loved the world of Splinter Cell. I’m a huge fan of army-of-one [stories] if you do it right. And yet, even though he’s had hard decisions to make, it’s just refreshing that Sam Fisher’s a hero.

“He has moments of empathy and having to do this thing when both decisions are wrong, but one is a little less wrong at the cost of his soul and his own personal life, but for the benefit of the rest of us.”

Splinter Cell: Deathwatch will feature Liev Schreiber as the voice of Sam Fisher, stepping into the role long held by Michael Ironside. The series made its first appearance at the Annecy Festival, where director Guillaume Dousse revealed some of the visual and tonal inspirations for the show, citing Ghost in the Shell, Ozark, and even elements of Mission: Impossible.

Producer Hugo Revon added:

“It was interesting to have this aging character, not totally like the Tom Cruise version but more realistic, and more weathered by life.”

The series is set to hit Netflix in late 2025, joining the platform’s growing roster of video game adaptations like Castlevania and the upcoming Devil May Cry series. Meanwhile, fans are still waiting on that elusive Splinter Cell remake, which Ubisoft teased years ago but hasn’t delivered any meaningful updates on.

So, how do you feel about a Sam Fisher who isn’t the best at what he does?