Earlier this year, Amazon’s long-gestating TV series based on BioWare’s “Mass Effect” video game franchise took a major step forward with “Mindhunter” writer and “Chief of War” executive producer Doug Jung boarding as showrunner.
First released over a decade ago, the original “Mass Effect” trilogy contains one of the most well-established, diverse and cinematic space opera screen universes outside of the “Star Wars” and “Star Trek” franchises.
In the games, you play as Commander Shepherd, who must assemble a crew of various aliens and humans to take on the return of an ancient threat to all life in the galaxy in the 22nd century.
That acclaimed trilogy of games was made, along with a not well-received ‘sidequel’ titled “Mass Effect Andromeda,” which takes place in another galaxy. A fifth title in the series is currently in development.
In a new update tied to Mass Effect Day on November 7th (N7), the franchise’s executive producer at BioWare posted a blog entry in which the TV series is mentioned.
He reveals they’ve been “partnering closely with Amazon on it” and then explains its place in the franchise’s canon:
“The writers’ room is going strong, and we’ve got a lot figured out about how it fits within the Mass Effect canon, and where it sits in respect to the new game. The show will explore a brand-new story within the universe’s timeline and will be set after the original trilogy. It won’t be a retread of Commander Shepard’s story – because after all … that’s YOUR story, isn’t it?”
Dan Casey, who has already spent a year writing on the project, is also on board the show along with executive producers Michael Gamble, Karim Zreik, Ari Arad and Emmy Yu.
