Netflix Revives Splinter Cell with “Deathwatch,” a Nostalgia-Fueled Animated Series
LOS ANGELES, CA – After a years-long dormancy, the Splinter Cell franchise has returned with Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, an eight-episode animated series now streaming on Netflix. Produced by Ubisoft and Netflix, the show delivers a fast-paced, ultraviolent experience clocking in at just over three hours, and leans heavily into nostalgia for fans of the beloved stealth-action video game series.
The series features a veteran Sam Fisher, voiced by Michael Schreiber, pulled out of retirement for one last mission. He’s partnered with a new generation of operatives, including Canadian hacker kaito Ishikawa, who quickly integrates into the team, and agent Jordan McKenna, whose personal connection to the mission drives her actions.
the central antagonist is Diana Shetlnd,daughter of the infamous Douglas Shetland - a character familiar to Splinter Cell players through flashbacks. Diana is attempting to rebrand her father’s private military company, Displace International, as a cleantech firm with a potentially world-altering renewable energy project called Xanadu.
While acknowledging a somewhat nonsensical plot towards the conclusion, the reviewer notes the narrative echoes the spirit of the original games. The series intentionally alludes to missions from Chaos Theory, considered by many to be the franchise’s high point, even titling the final two episodes “Chaos Theory: Part 1” and “Part 2.” Authenticity is further enhanced by the inclusion of iconic sound effects, including the activation of tri-lens night vision goggles and the original Xbox-era radio/comms activation noise.
The reviewer expresses a bittersweet outlook for the series’ future. While Ubisoft could potentially continue the animated Splinter Cell universe with flashback seasons focusing on Sam Fisher’s prime, the show’s starting point – featuring an aging Fisher – suggests a limited lifespan. A potential handover of the lead role to McKenna is also considered a risky move,drawing a comparison to replacing Batman with Robin. netflix’s track record with animated series – The Legend of Lara Croft lasting two seasons and Castlevania four – further fuels this uncertainty.
Ultimately, the reviewer celebrates the return of Splinter Cell and hopes the series’ success will spur Ubisoft to accelerate development on the Splinter Cell remake announced four years ago, which has remained largely unseen since its initial reveal.
