Amazon is doubling down on the video game adaptation business with another big-budget fantasy series, but longtime fans of the iconic property might be stunned at the latest update. Those who have been waiting years to see Commander Shepard in live-action will be sorely disappointed at Amazon’s plans for the upcoming show.
In an official blog post from video game developer studio BioWare, the company confirmed that it is partnering with Amazon to produce a Mass Effect series. They also revealed that the adaptation will not be based on any specific installment in the franchise. Instead, the show will introduce an original story set after the initial trilogy. And yes, Commander Shepard, the protagonist of the first three games, will not be featured in the live-action adaptation.
“The writers room is going strong, and we’ve got a lot figured out about how it fits within the Mass Effect canon, and where it sits in respect to the new game. The show will explore a brand-new story within the universe’s timeline, and will be set after the original trilogy. It won’t be a retread of Commander Shepard’s story – because after all … that’s YOUR story, isn’t it?”
Those familiar with Mass Effect understand that the game centers on role-playing mechanics, allowing players to completely customize the main character and control their decision-making throughout the franchise. This means, like Amazon’s other popular series, Fallout, the games primarily revolve around the unique experience of the players. Considering how hard it is to translate on screen, it is understandable that Amazon is jettisoning the storyline fans are overtly familiar with for one that expands upon it. And, similar to Fallout, it will still be set within the same universe, which means fans will be treated to Easter eggs and references from the iconic game trilogy.
Amazon’s ‘Mass Effect’ TV Series Crew Revealed
Amazon has been steadily developing Mass Effect over the past few years, with updates trickling out little by little. Daniel Casey (F9, Kin), who serves as a writer and executive producer, released an exciting update last year that confirmed the series was greenlit. Additionally, he revealed that a “pilot script and series outline” has been set, so the writers’ room has been hammering out the rest of the scripts since then. Unsurprisingly, it was also announced that the production team behind Fallout is involved in developing Mass Effect.
“I’m working on a Mass Effect show for Amazon. We’re greenlit to start our writer’s room at the top of 2025. Doing this right is and has been top priority for nearly two years now (though we paused for the strike last year). We have a great pilot script and series outline, the team that Amazon has in place (same team as #fallout including the fantastic @scottfarris) is incredible. Standby for further updates. This is gonna be the next year/two years of my life. And it’ll be special.”
Doug Jung, the writer behind Star Trek Beyond and Chief of War, is set as the showrunner for Mass Effect. His involvement was announced this summer, so it seems the project could head into production sometime next year. The behind-the-scenes crew seems to be locked down, while the casting process has still not started (at least, not officially). Fans may not see an actor being cast as Commander Shepard or anyone else from his SS Normandy crew, but Mass Effect is moving along quite smoothly.
