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Ubisoft’s stealth-action franchise is making the leap into animation with Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, a Netflix series that promises to expand the saga of legendary operative Sam Fisher. Voiced by Liev Schreiber, Fisher is once again forced back into the shadows, this time to protect a young operative whose mission connects directly to the series’ darker corners of espionage.
New Characters with Ubisoft Ties
The latest trailer for Splinter Cell: Deathwatch offers a closer look at Zinnia McKenna (Kirby Howell-Baptiste), a rookie agent hunted after uncovering critical intel. She becomes Fisher’s ally in a cat-and-mouse chase that blends personal stakes with global consequences.
Another reveal is Diana Shetland, CEO of the green-tech company Xanadu and daughter of Douglas Shetland — a figure fans will remember from Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory. These ties ensure the series acknowledges long-time players while introducing fresh narratives.
Cast and Creative Team
Schreiber leads the cast, bringing gravitas to Fisher’s weary but formidable presence, while Howell-Baptiste injects urgency and energy as McKenna. Supporting characters, teased in the trailer, point to a mix of old allies and new adversaries.
Behind the scenes, John Wick creator Derek Kolstad serves as head writer and executive producer, with Guillaume Dousse and Félicien Colmet-Daâge directing. Ubisoft has partnered with animation studios Sun Creature and Fost to deliver the project, aiming for a sleek yet gritty style.
Staying True to Splinter Cell’s Spirit
While this animated series introduces new faces and modern storytelling, the trailer also showcases what fans expect from the series: stealth sequences, brutal takedowns, and the interplay between shadow and light. Ubisoft Film & Television producers have described the show as both an accessible entry point for newcomers and a nod-filled continuation for franchise veterans.
The series will premiere on October 14, but for many, the appeal lies less in the date and more in how Deathwatch deepens Sam Fisher’s legacy while tying back to the games that defined the stealth genre.
