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By Lidia Molina Whyte
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Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse has been revamped for its first foray into streaming territory. Tweaked timelines, new (and omitted) characters and The Darkling’s name change – he goes by the far less sinister General Kirigan now – are just some of the ambitious alterations featured in Netflix’s Shadow and Bone, with varying degrees of success.
But as a huge fan of Bardugo’s books, there’s one change I couldn’t be happier with: the reworking of the series’ young protagonist, orphaned refugee turned mythical Sun Summoner Alina Starkov (played by newcomer Jessie Mei Li). Not only does the adaptation change her ethnicity – strengthening her status as an outsider and grounding the conflict between warring nations Ravka and Shu Han – it also injects her character with a much-needed shot of agency.
Shadow and Bone cast brings humor, endurance to Netflix adaptation
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Jessie Mei Li plays Alina Sarkov, the hero of Leigh Bardugo s Shadow and Bone. Photo courtesy of Netflix
Alina (Jessie Mei Li, right) summons light for the Darkling (Ben Barnes). Photo courtesy of Netflix
The Dregs (from left, Kit Young, Freddy Carter and Amita Suman) try to cross the Shadow Fold. Photo courtesy of Netflix
Nina (Danielle Galligan) and Matthias (Calahan Skogman) journey through Ravka together. Photo courtesy of Netflix
Mal (Archie Renaux) and Alina (Jessie Mei Li) get separated by the Shadow Fold. Photo courtesy of Netflix
LOS ANGELES, April 22 (UPI)
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finally dropped the release date for
Shadow and Bone, alongside promotional images for its TV series adaptation of Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse.
For fans of the book series, which includes the main trilogy, two additional duologies, and two short story collections, the April 23 release date feels like a windfall. Because Netflix is notoriously tightlipped about their upcoming shows and movies, fans have been left to speculate and pine for each additional detail. And though we were treated to a chilling and enticing teaser trailer in December, the titles of the episodes, and an exquisite casting image of our leads there’s still so much that’s unclear. And if you haven’t gotten a chance to read the books