David Farnor | On 08, Mar 2018

“What sane man would disguise himself four times in a row?” Netflix has the answer, with the final trailer for A Series of Unfortunate Events Season 2, which brings Count Olaf back to our screens for another round of bad costumes and even badder intentions.

Based on the internationally best-selling series of books by Lemony Snicket and starring Emmy and Tony Award winner Neil Patrick Harris, A Series of Unfortunate Events recounts the tragic tale of the Baudelaire orphans – Violet, Klaus, and Sunny – whose evil guardian will stop at nothing to get his hands on their inheritance. The siblings must outsmart him at every turn, foiling his many devious plans, while uncovering the mystery behind their parents’ mysterious death.

Neil Patrick Harris reprises his role as Olaf, with Nathan Fillion, Tony Hale and Lucy Punch joining the cast. The result promises to be a typically hilarious affair, from garish costumes to sharp-witted dialogue. “Does these seem like a nightmare?” asks Harris’ hammy Olaf, with a grin. “Because that’s the effect I was going for.”

The whole thing lands on Netflix UK on Friday 30th March. Here’s the trailer:

 

Trailer: A Series of Unfortunate Events Season 2 promises more despair

13th February 2018

“Don’t make the same mistake Netflix has,” warns Lemony Snicket (played by Patrick Warburton with delicious deadpan) in the new trailer for A Series of Unfortunate Events Season 2. “This marketing is so Season 1,” retorts Count Olaf (Neil Patrick Harris), who promptly turns the trailer off and begins explaining why Season 2 is much better.

Netflix’s adaptation of the Snicket novels sees Harris’s Olaf, the nefarious distant relative of orphans Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire (Malina Weissman, Louis Hynes, Presley Smith), stop at nothing – including using his dubious acting skills – to get his hands on the fortune they have inherited.

Diving into the dark humour of author Daniel Handler, the result has been anything but unfortunate, already renewed for a third (and possibly final) season. What can we expect from its sophomore run? More villainous treachery, more treacherous villains, unwanted elective surgeries, man-eating lions, violence, fire and despair, if this new trailer is anything to go by. We wouldn’t have it any other way. Season 2 lands on Friday 30th March. Here’s the trailer:

 

Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events to end with Season 3?

3rd February 2018

Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events is expected to end with Season 3, following comments from its star, Neil Patrick Harris.

The actor plays Count Olaf in the series, the distant relative of orphans Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire (Malina Weissman, Louis Hynes, Presley Smith), who will stop at nothing – including using his dubious acting skills – to get his hands on the fortune they have inherited. Based on the Lemony Snicket novels by Daniel Handler, the series was a resounding hit when it first premiered, earning a swift renewal by Netflix for a second run.

Now, Neil Patrick Harris appears to have confirmed that there will only be one more outing after that.

“We’re three seasons all in,” Harris told TV Guide this week. “We’ve intentionally been very truthful and factual and loyal to the books. We’ve added a few characters that aren’t in the books, we’ve added some songs that you probably couldn’t put into the books, but for the most part we’re sticking to the structure of what already worked.”

The site has since unpublished the article, although it has been cited and reported in multiple other publications. With the first run adapting the first four of 13 novels, and the second based on the fifth through to the ninth, meanwhile, stopping after three seasons will seem like a natural step for the franchise to take for fans familiar with the books.

While we wait for Netflix to officially confirm Harris’ words, what we do know is that Season 2 arrives on Friday 30th March worldwide. Read on below for the first trailer:

 

Trailer: A Series of Unfortunate Events Season 2 gets March release date

1st January 2018

“Does this seem like a nightmare?” asks Count Olaf in the first teaser for Season 2 of A Series of Unfortunate Events. And, of course, the answer is ‘yes’, in the best possible way, as the video gives us our first look at the wonderfully dark world of Lemony Snicket’s novels, back for another set of adaptations on Netflix. (Season 2 will begin with the fifth novel in Snicket’s books, The Austere Academy, running all the way through to the ninth.)

Introduced by Neil Patrick Harris – “There may be some of you surprised that Netflix should wish this to be the first face you see in 2018…” – he’s on brilliantly twisted form in the new trailer. He, of course, plays Olaf, the nefarious distant relative of orphans Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire (Malina Weissman, Louis Hynes, Presley Smith), who will stop at nothing – including using his dubious acting skills – to get his hands on the fortune they have inherited.

Harris will be joined by Nathan Fillion, Tony Hale and Lucy Punch for Season 2, along with Sara Rue and Roger Bart. You can read on below for more on their characters and some first-look images, but for now, enjoy the announcement that A Series of Unfortunate Events Season 2 will premiere on Netflix on 30th March.

Here’s the teaser trailer:

First teaser for #Netflix’s #ASeriesOfUnfortunateEvents Season 2. pic.twitter.com/CbmV66m9Kb

— The Playlist ? (@ThePlaylist) January 1, 2018

 

First look images from A Series of Unfortunate Events Season 2

8th December 2017

The return of Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events is fast approaching, and now, we’ve got a new look at what’s in store from the show’s latest adaptation of Lemony Snicket’s books.

The streaming giant’s family show stars Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf, the nefarious distant relative of orphans Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire (Malina Weissman, Louis Hynes, Presley Smith), who will stop at nothing – including using his dubious acting skills – to get his hands on the fortune they have inherited. Nathan Fillion, Tony Hale and Lucy Punch have all joined the cast of the second run, along with Sara Rue and Roger Bart.

The latest pictures unveiled by Netflix give us a look at the Baudelaires meeting Carmelita Spats (Kitana Turnbull) and Harris’ Count Olaf sporting his newest disguise. It has also now been confirmed that Season 2 will begin with the fifth novel in Snicket’s books, The Austere Academy, running all the way through to the ninth. The show has already been renewed for a third season.

 

Netflix orders third Series of Unfortunate Events

5th April 2017

Netflix has reportedly ordered a third season of A Series of Unfortunate Events.

The streaming giant’s adaptation of the Lemony Snicket novels stars Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf, the nefarious distant relative of orphans Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire (Malina Weissman, Louis Hynes, Presley Smith), who will stop at nothing – including using his dubious acting skills – to get his hands on the fortune they have inherited.

Created by Lemony Snicket author Daniel Handler, who exec produces the programme with Barry Sonnenfeld, the result has been anything but unfortunate.

“A spirit of old-fashioned adventure courses through every chapter, which should earn the show a host of loyal and devoted fans,” we wrote in our review of Season 1. “Clever inventions, exhilarating escapades, ludicrous villains and macabre humour? Like we say, you really shouldn’t watch it.”

Sure enough, within weeks of its premiere, it had already been popular enough to earn a second season renewal. Now, before Season 2 is even remotely close to hitting our screens, THR reports that Netflix has renewed the show once more for a third run.

The news spells a busy year ahead for Harris, who is also set to host and exec producer a new NBC game show, called Genius Junior.
 

Netflix renews A Series of Unfortunate Events for Season 2

13th March 2017

Netflix has renewed A Series of Unfortunate Events for a second season.

Based on the best-selling series of books by Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler) and starring Emmy and Tony Award winner Neil Patrick Harris, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events kicked the year off in macabre style for the streaming giant. Netflix hasn’t played down the darkness of the novels, which recounts the tale of the Baudelaire orphans – Violet, Klaus, and Sunny – whose evil guardian Count Olaf will stop at nothing to get his hands on their inheritance. Indeed, every trailer, advert and promotional teaser has warned viewers not to watch, with even the opening credits telling audiences to “look away”.

People, though, apparently ignored this advice, with the show’s popularity prompting Netflix to order more episodes of the adaptation. The news of the renewal isn’t that surprising – in fact, it’s about as surprising as this not-very-cryptic video released by Netflix today, announcing the show’s return.

The video reveals a new website, www.vastlyfrighteningdecision.com, where visitors could read a letter from Snicket himself. Netflix then posted this letter on Twitter anyway, for those who didn’t watch the video.

It reads as follows:

Dear Viewer,

It has come to my attention that, despite my repeated warnings, you have viewed the Netflix adaptation of my distressing work, known collectively as A Series of Unfortunate Events. Some of you have even binged, a word which here means, “Watched several episodes right in a row, despite having much better things to do with your time.”

To my horror, Netflix has been encouraged by this, and funnelled their ill-gotten gains towards a second season of this unhappy and unnerving series. Even as we speak, set builders, costume designers and trauma specialists are snapping into action, the better to bring you even more upsetting episodes, all because of your reputed enthusiasm for this grim example of so-called family programming.

I hope you’re happy. Because you won’t be, ever again.

With all due respect,

Lemony Snicket

Not seen Lemony Snicket’s new series? You can stream the whole of Season 1 on Netflix now, or read our review of the opening episodes here.
 

 

A Series of Unfortunate Events credits suggest watching something else

12th January 2017

With one day to go until Lemony Snicket’s tales of woe and misery arrive on Netflix, the opening credits of A Series of Unfortunate Events have been released – and they’re perhaps the only opening credits to a TV show that recommend watching something else instead.

With vocals from Neil Patrick Harris () warning everyone to “look away”, the delightfully old-school title sequence feels like a cross between American Horror Story and a detective film from the 1940s – just the kind of spooky, Gothic, adult vibe you want from a kids’ TV show that prides itself on being as dark as it gets without alienating the whole family.

“A spirit of old-fashioned adventure courses through every chapter, which should earn the show a host of loyal and devoted fans,” we wrote in our review of the series. “Clever inventions, exhilarating escapades, ludicrous villains and macabre humour? Like we say, you really shouldn’t watch it.”

All episodes of A Series of Unfortunate Events are released on Netflix on Friday 13th January.

 

Second Lemony Snicket trailer lands

7th December 2016

“Your first impression of me might be that I’m a terrible person,” warns Count Olaf in the second full trailer for Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. “You haven’t the faintest idea.”

Neil Patrick Harris continues to impress with every new glimpse of the streaming giant’s adaptation of Daniel Handler’s best-selling novels, which follows the Baudelaire orphans – Violet, Klaus, and Sunny – whose evil guardian Count Olaf (Harris) will stop at nothing to get his hands on their inheritance.

“If you are interested in a story with a happy ending,” warns fictional narrator Snicket. “That story is streaming elsewhere.”

If you’re interested, on the other hand, with a story that sees Neil Patrick in a variety of silly costumes, intriguingly dark set design and the promise of wicked laughs, A Series of Unfortunate Events premieres on Friday 13th January.

Here’s the new video:

 

New trailer lands for Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events

17th November 2016

“The world is vast and full of wonders. So on Friday, the 13th of January, please… watch something else.”

That’s the take-home message from the new trailer for Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, which continues to look better with every new video.

Based on the best-selling series of books by Daniel Handler and starring Neil Patrick Harris, the series recounts the tragic tale of the Baudelaire orphans – Violet, Klaus, and Sunny – whose evil guardian Count Olaf will stop at nothing to get his hands on their inheritance. The siblings must outsmart Olaf at every turn, foiling his many devious plans and disguises, in order to discover clues to their parents’ mysterious death.

All eight episodes will premiere worldwide on Netflix on Friday 13th January.

 

First look at Neil Harris’ Count Olaf in Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events

3rd November 2016

We’ve got our first official look at Neil Harris as Count Olaf in Netflix’s new adaptation of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events.

The series, based on Daniel Handler’s hugely popular novels, is drawing closer and, for some unknown reason, most people seem to think it’s about the three young Baudelaire orphans, whose parents tragically pass away. But, as this new trailer makes clear, it’s really about a very handsome actor, called Count Olaf, trying to get his hands on the enormous inheritance bestowed upon three selfish and ungrateful children.

The eight-episode show, exec produced by Barry Sonnenfeld and Daniel Handler, sees Harris step into the shoes of Jim Carrey, who played Olaf in a feature-film version of the novel. And judging by these new photos and trailer of him in action, he’s set to put his own creepy stamp on the role.

Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events premieres on Friday 13th January 2017. Here’s the new video:

 

Trailer: Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events lands on Netflix in January

4th October 2016

On Friday 13th January 2017, many people will still be celebrating the happy new year – unless they’ve been watching the upsetting, dark and disturbing Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events.

Netflix is so keen to warn people to avoid this nastiest of visual treats that it has even released a trailer today announcing the show’s premiere date.

Based on the best-selling series of books by Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler) and starring Emmy and Tony Award winner Neil Patrick Harris, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events recounts the tragic tale of the Baudelaire orphans – Violet, Klaus, and Sunny – whose evil guardian Count Olaf will stop at nothing to get his hands on their inheritance. The siblings must outsmart Olaf at every turn, foiling his many devious plans and disguises, in order to discover clues to their parents’ mysterious death.

The eight-episode series is executive produced by Emmy Award winner Barry Sonnenfeld and Daniel Handler, and also stars Patrick Warburton, Joan Cusack, Malina Weissman and Louis Hynes.

“If you like watching stories in which children enjoy pleasant rides in truck beds, on their way to colorful destinations where they finally solve the curious mysteries plaguing their lives… That story is streaming elsewhere,” says Snicket, pictured above in the first image from the show.

Here’s the rather brilliant video:

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