Upcoming Medieval Fantasy Drama Series "Barbaric" Joins Netflix Lineup
By Published May 13, 2026, 3:12 PM EDT
Ryan Northrup is a Senior Staff Writer on ScreenRant's Movie & TV News team, where he has authored nearly 5,000 articles, including features and reviews. A graduate of McMaster University, Ryan began his career in public relations before attending Vancouver Film School. There, he built lasting industry connections and optioned a feature film screenplay.
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Barbaric is coming to Netflix.
Created by writer Michael Moreci and illustrator Nathan Gooden, the Barbaric comic series from Vault Comics debuted in 2026. The latest release in the series is Barbaric: The Long Death #1, which hit shelves last December.
Now, per , Barbaric is set to become a medieval fantasy drama series on Netflix. Produced by A+E Studios, the show hails from co-showrunners Sheldon Turner and Robert Rovner. A logline for the series is included below:
The story follows a ruthless and crass barbarian who is cursed to only be able to use his violence for good. This sends him, his talking axe, and a young witch on a road of self-discovery and revenge.
Executive producers for the series include Turner and Jennifer Klein for 100% Productions; Barry Jossen and Tana Jamieson for A+E Studios; Javier Grillo-Marxuach, F.J. DeSanto and Damian Wassel for Vault Comics; and Sam Claflin, Luke Carroll, and Michael Stevenson for Soft Claw Productions.
It's not yet clear when the Barbaric show will arrive on the streamer or who might star in it. The was first reported to be in development in 2026, with Claflin attached to executive produce and star. Patrick Stewart was also reportedly attached to voice the axe, with Michael Bay in talks to direct.
Though the announcement confirms Claflin will executive produce the series, it's unknown whether the actor will star, and figures like Stewart and Bay aren't mentioned at all. A lot can change for projects during development, and it's entirely possible things have shifted in a new direction. Either way, more information may not emerge until the Barbaric adaptation is further along.
The Barbaric comic series has been met with strong critical praise since its debut in 2026. The comic is celebrated for its mix of bloody violence and humor, and for the ways it subverts well-worn sword-and-sorcery tropes. Tonally, the comic has been described as a mix of Deadpool and Game of Thrones, making for a unique combination.
The announcement that Barbaric is getting the Netflix treatment follows a similar reveal regarding BRZRKR back in 2026. The BRZRKR comic hails from Keanu Reeves and Matt Kindt and is similarly bloody and violent. Unlike Barbaric, though, the BRZRKR adaptation will be a feature film, with . Other notable Netflix comic adaptations include The Sandman, The Umbrella Academy, Sweet Tooth, and The Old Guard.
Little is known about Turner's vision for the series, but he is best known for writing X-Men: First Class (2011), Up in the Air (2009), and The Longest Yard (2005). Rovner, on the other hand, previously served as producer and writer on the Supergirl TV show.
Many questions remain about the Barbaric TV show, but audiences could be in for a bloody, funny, and boundary-pushing ride. More information should emerge as the show progresses, but Netflix is evidently staying in the comics adaptation game.
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