For over a decade, fans of the iconic Splinter Cell franchise have been waiting in the shadows for Sam Fisher’s return. While the long-rumoured game remake remains a mystery, the good news is that our favourite Third Echelon operative is finally coming back into the light… or rather, the darkness. On October 14, 2025, a new story in the Splinter Cell universe will arrive, but not in the way you might expect.
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Deathwatch is not a game, but an adult animated espionage series set to premiere on Netflix. And based on what we’ve seen so far, it’s shaping up to be an adaptation that both respects the source material and carves out its own unique path.
From John Wick to Splinter Cell: The Creative Team
One of the most exciting aspects of Deathwatch is the team behind it. The series is produced by Ubisoft Film & Television, but the creative lead is none other than Derek Kolstad, the writer who brought the high-octane world of John Wick to life. In a recent interview, Kolstad made it clear that his goal was to create a new story that uses all the existing game lore and ancillary material as canon.
This means that the series will feature an older, retired Sam Fisher, a seasoned veteran living in self-imposed exile. His past with characters like Douglas Shetland and the events of games like Chaos Theory will serve as the foundation for this new chapter. It’s a fresh take that allows for an original plot while still feeling deeply connected to the legacy of the games.
The Story: An Old Legend Pulled Back into the Black
Deathwatch sees Sam Fisher, long since retired from active duty, drawn back into the world of espionage. A wounded young operative, Zinnia McKenna, seeks his help, leading Sam to uncover a vast conspiracy involving a company called Displace International. The company, now run by the children of his former comrade Douglas Shetland, is at the heart of a plot that threatens Europe.
Working with his old technical operations officer Anna “Grim” Grímsdóttir and the modern Fourth Echelon, Sam must once again use his legendary skills to navigate a world that has become more digital and less reliant on boots-on-the-ground agents. The show explores the tension between old-school analogue spies and the new digital world, a theme that feels perfectly suited for a franchise known for its cutting-edge technology and classic stealth gameplay.
A New Voice for Sam Fisher
Perhaps the most talked-about change for Deathwatch is the casting of Sam Fisher. For the first time, Michael Ironside will not be voicing the iconic character. Instead, the role goes to acclaimed actor Liev Schreiber. While this news has certainly been met with mixed reactions from longtime fans, Kolstad has stated that the decision was made to give the series a “new sound” for what they hope will be a long-running show. Given Schreiber’s experience with the Clancy-verse (he played John Clark in The Sum of All Fears), it’s a choice that makes a lot of sense from a narrative and casting perspective.
What to Expect
The trailers for Splinter Cell: Deathwatch are full of fast-paced action and a moody, stylised aesthetic. It’s a visually striking animated series that promises a gritty, adult spy thriller. While it’s not the new game fans have been clamouring for, it’s a chance to see Sam Fisher in a new medium, with a new story that builds on his rich history.
So, mark your calendars for October 14, 2025, grab your night-vision goggles, and get ready to dive back into the shadows. Splinter Cell: Deathwatch is set to be a mission you won’t want to miss.
Splinter Cell on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81306317
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