Netflix officially greenlights “Barbaric” fantasy series based on the hit Vault Comics title
Netflix has officially greenlit Barbaric, a medieval fantasy series based on the Vault Comics title, announcing the project at its Upfronts 2026 presentation in New York on Wednesday, 13 May, with Oscar-nominated writer Sheldon Turner serving as co-showrunner alongside Robert Rovner, and British actor Sam Claflin confirmed as executive producer.
- Netflix has given a formal series order to Barbaric, a medieval fantasy from Vault Comics, after two years in development.
- Oscar-nominated writer Sheldon Turner (X-Men: First Class) and Robert Rovner (Supergirl) are co-showrunners; British star Sam Claflin is confirmed as executive producer.
- No official casting has been announced — deals are still being finalised — though Claflin and Sir Patrick Stewart were previously attached to star.
- The source comic has sold more than 600,000 units worldwide and is now in its fifth volume.
What is Barbaric about?
The series follows Owen the Barbarian, a ruthless warrior cursed to use his violence only for good. He wanders a medieval fantasy realm alongside a bloodthirsty talking axe — effectively his wisecracking moral compass — and a young witch, on a road of self-discovery, redemption, and revenge.
According to Deadline, the series has been widely described in the industry as “Deadpool meets Game of Thrones” — a phrase that captures the comic’s blend of gonzo violence and dark humour that made it a surprise hit for independent publisher Vault Comics when it launched in 2021.
The creative team
Turner — an Academy Award nominee for Up in the Air — will serve as series creator, co-showrunner, and lead writer. He co-showruns with Rovner, best known for his work on the CW series Supergirl.
The expansive executive producing team includes Jennifer Klein, Turner’s partner at 100% Productions; Barry Jossen and Tana Jamieson for A+E Studios; TV veteran Javier Grillo-Marxuach (Lost, The Witcher); and F.J. DeSanto and Damian Wassel for Vault Comics. Claflin’s Soft Claw Productions — with partners Luke Carroll and Michael Stevenson — rounds out the team.
“Barbaric has been the mainstay of fantasy comic books for the last six years. The first issue came out at a time when everyone said fantasy comics were dead and it changed the entire industry’s mind.”
— Adrian Wassel, Editor-in-Chief, Vault ComicsCasting: what we know
According to Deadline, no talent has been officially announced as deals are still being finalised. When the project first entered development in July 2024, Suffolk-born actor Sam Claflin — known to UK audiences from Peaky Blinders and Daisy Jones & the Six — was attached to play Owen, with Sir Patrick Stewart set to voice the talking axe and Michael Bay in talks to direct.
Claflin remains confirmed as an executive producer. Whether the Ipswich-born star will also appear in front of the camera has not yet been confirmed by Netflix, though industry sources consider it likely.
UK angle: the British connection
Both of the names most closely associated with the lead roles are British. Claflin is from Suffolk, England, and represented in the UK by Independent Talent Group. Sir Patrick Stewart — born in Mirfield, West Yorkshire — would bring an iconic British voice to the axe character, should his reported involvement be formalised.
For UK viewers, the series will stream on Netflix UK when it arrives. Netflix’s standard plan is currently priced from £4.99 per month for the ad-supported tier. No UK or global premiere date has been confirmed at this stage.
About the source comic
According to Vault Comics, Barbaric was co-created by writer Michael Moreci and artist Nathan Gooden — Gooden is also a co-founder of Vault Comics itself. The series is currently on its fifth volume, with the paperback edition of Volume 5 slated for release in August 2026. A spin-off series, Queen of Swords, is also in publication.
“We’ve got a dream team putting this project together, and I couldn’t be happier. Barbaric fans are the best fans in the world, and I know how much they’re going to love seeing this story brought to life in such a major way.”
— Michael Moreci, co-creator, BarbaricNetflix’s growing fantasy slate
The greenlight fits Netflix’s wider bet on the fantasy genre. The streamer has scored genre hits with The Witcher, Shadow and Bone, and Sweet Tooth in recent years. Avatar: The Last Airbender returned for a second season earlier this year, and the Narnia film is set for a Christmas 2026 global IMAX release.
For Vault Comics, this marks the most high-profile live-action adaptation of any of its titles to date, following earlier small-screen efforts including Vagrant Queen (2020) and Revealer (2022).
What’s next
Netflix has not announced a production start date or premiere window. Further casting news and a confirmed director are expected to follow once deals are finalised. Screen & Story will update this story as details emerge.
Readers in the UK can find the Barbaric comic at local comic shops and bookstores, with Volume 5 releasing in paperback in August 2026.
Elena Vane is an award-winning comics historian and pop culture journalist. Specializing in the DC/Marvel universes and independent graphic novels, Elena has been documenting the rise of cosplay culture for over a decade . She is a frequent panelist at New York Comic Con and provides in-depth biographies of industry pioneers. Elena’s expertise ensures that every comic-related update is factually grounded and community-focused .
