First Look at Netflix’s Imperial Russia-Style Fantasy Shadow and Bone

The upcoming Shadow and Bone series looks to be a significantly different kind of fantasy show. Where Game of Thrones was inspired by England, and the Wars of the Roses, Imperial Russia and the Romanovs in the long and cold winter inspire this series. At least, that’s what the first photos from the forthcoming adaptation of Leigh Bardugo’s books suggest. Today, Netflix debuted a brand new set of promotional stills, along with a few quotes from the executive producers.

“Shadow and Bone takes place in a very different kind of fantasy world,” Leigh Bardugo said in a press release. “Think Imperial Russia, not Medieval England, repeating rifles instead of broadswords. It’s a story about the people who have been told how much they don’t matter proving how much they do. And it’s been incredible to see that story take shape on such an epic scale, the battles, the magic, but also the relationships between the characters. These photos give just a tiny hint at what’s in store—a mapmaker with an extraordinary gift, the people who want to use her, the tracker who will do anything to protect her, and the team of thugs and thieves who are about to cause some very big trouble for everyone involved.”

RELATED: Netflix Drops Official Teaser and Release Date for Shadow and Bone

The young-adult fantasy-adventure series will take the fans to the “Grisha” universe. It takes its name from its characters with the ability to manipulate the elements.

“These photos offer a glimpse into the expansive, textured world Leigh created in her books,” showrunner Eric Heisserer (Bird Box) added. “We worked tirelessly to craft a lived-in feel for fictional lands like Ketterdam and Ravka, with invented languages, uniforms, currency, and artistic choices from set design to costuming. You’re immersed in the Grishaverse when you read, and it’s our hope that both new and existing fans have that same feeling when they watch the show. The series has an incredibly passionate fanbase and we can’t wait for new people to discover the magic that is Shadow and Bone.”

Shadow and Bone will hit Netflix on April 23. In the meantime, you can see the first Shadow and Bone photos in the gallery below.

What do you think about the photos? What do you expect from Netflix’s adaptation? Let us know in the comments section below.

Recommended Reading: The Shadow and Bone Trilogy Boxed Set: Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising

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