SPLINTER CELL: SHOWRUNNER Explains Why Sam Fisher’s Voice Actor Was Recast
The upcoming Netflix series Splinter Cell: Deathwatch is bringing stealth legend Sam Fisher to the small screen, but fans will notice a major change as Fisher’s iconic voice won’t be coming from Michael Ironside this time around. Instead, Liev Schreiber is stepping into the role, and showrunner Derek Kolstad has explained why the shift was made.
In the games, Ironside’s gravelly delivery became synonymous with Fisher, so swapping him out is no small move. Kolstad told IGN that the decision came down to the long-term future of the series:
"I loved him, but ultimately it was like, 'If we're going to be doing this for a while, they just wanted a new sound.' And when they were going through the various voices, any number of people were up for the role."
Kolstad pointed out that the version of Fisher in the Netflix series is older than the character we’ve played in the games.
While Ironside himself has aged since the franchise began, the team wanted to refresh the character with a different tone that could carry the show forward. Schreiber stood out not only for his voice but also for his history with Tom Clancy characters.
"Say what you will about that movie, but Liev Schreiber as John Clark was perfect. And so when his name came up, it was looking through that lens of John Clark. It's again, they’re both Clancy characters, they're attached to the hip, same creator, same universe, and it just seemed perfect."
That connection to Clancy’s universe makes Schreiber a natural fit for Fisher, tying Deathwatch back to the broader world fans already know.
Netflix’s official synopsis for the series reads: "In this first-ever adaptation of the acclaimed stealth video game Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell, legendary agent Sam Fisher is drawn back into the field when a wounded young operative seeks out his help. Produced by Ubisoft, in partnership with Derek Kolstad (John Wick), Sun Creature and Fost."
Splinter Cell: Deathwatch sneaks onto Netflix October 14.