Like the slow-walking villains of its movies and video games, the “Resident Evil” franchise just doesn’t seem to die. In 2016, “Resident Evil: The Final Chapter” concluded Paul W. S. Anderson’s series, which began in 2002 and starred Milla Jovovich as humanity’s one hope against the apocalypse; but only six years later, and after a lukewarm animated reboot (“Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness”), Netflix is again looking to add to the undead canon with an eight-episode series, simply titled “Resident Evil.”
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Similar to the “A Quiet Place” movies, “Resident Evil” will feature a before/after-the-disaster aspect by way of two evolving timelines. The first, set in present-day New Raccoon City, South Africa, follows Jade Wesker (Ella Balinska) and her little sister, Billie (Siena Agudong), as they grow suspicious of their father, Albert Wesker (Lance Reddick), and his role in the Umbrella Corporation’s scheming. Running alongside that is another timeline, much more bloodthirsty and brain-eating and quintessentially Res Evil, which unfolds in a zombie-ridden London circa. 2036; there, Jade navigates the apocalypse unleashed upon society by the Umbrella Corporation.
The eight episodes are split between four directors: Rachel Goldberg (“Muted”), Batan Silva (“The Flight Attendant”), Bronwen Hughes (“Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul”), and Rob Seidenglanz (“Riverdale”). There’s also some pretty strong writing muscle behind the series, with “Supernatural” producer Andrew Dabb taking a lead role.
Throughout this series, we can expect plenty of evil masterminds and straggling survivors, likely played by Tamara Smart, Adeline Rudolph, Paola Nuñez, and Turlough Convery, who make up the supporting cast.
All eight episodes will drop on July 14. Watch the new trailer below, which debuted during Netflix’s Geeked Week today.
