Netflix's Splinter Cell: Deathwatch Connects to Game Lore

As far as I'm concerned, I'm the most devoted Splinter Cell fan out there. I reviewed every entry in the series except the first during my time at Official Xbox Magazine, and I've handled the sole release since joining IGN 13 years ago. So, I feel qualified to say this: Splinter Cell fans are a uniquely patient bunch. The series owner, Ubisoft, consistently features protagonist Sam Fisher across its other titles, but shies away from giving the aging super-spy a proper new game of his own. Despite recent cameos in Rainbow Six Siege, Ghost Recon Wildlands, and the ill-fated XDefiant, it's been a full 13 years since Sam's last solo adventure in Splinter Cell: Blacklist. Yes, a remake of the original is supposedly in development at Ubisoft Toronto using the Snowdrop engine, but it's been nearly four years since its announcement with only a few pieces of concept art. We didn't even get a teaser trailer, and there's been radio silence ever since.

That's why Netflix's announcement of an animated series, Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, was such a welcome surprise. I'm cautiously optimistic, especially with Derek Kolstad, the creator of John Wick, as showrunner. It's not a game, but a genuinely great show could revitalize interest and finally push Ubisoft to move forward on the remake or a brand-new adventure.

My optimism grew after seeing the first trailer. While Michael Ironside's voice is iconic for Sam Fisher, if he's moved on, casting Liev Schreiber is an excellent choice. "I loved [Ironside]," Kolstad told IGN, "but for a long-running series, they wanted a new direction." The trailer reveals an older Sam, well past his prime. "This is my 'Unforgiven,'" Kolstad described, "the 'one last job' from classic thrillers." This immediately made me wonder: is this story part of the games' official canon?

The answer from Ubisoft is yes. Splinter Cell: Deathwatch is canon to the mainline games. A spokesperson confirmed it "follows the timeline and characters," while noting "some creative liberties were taken for television." Without spoilers, this means key events from the games reach the same conclusion, but sometimes via a different path. "The changes are hopefully small enough that fans won't be upset," Kolstad added. Given how long it's been since the games released, even dedicated fans might not recall every detail, but that's for the community to judge.

In Deathwatch, a retired yet highly capable Sam (now sporting a man bun) long ago handed Fourth Echelon over to an older, wiser Anna "Grim" Grímsdóttir. They haven't spoken in years, but their deep trust remains. The organization itself is a fading relic when the series begins. Meanwhile, the long-dead Douglas Shetland, Sam's former ally turned nemesis from Chaos Theory, plays a major role in Season One's events.

So, do you need to play the games before watching? Honestly, no. Binging them now won't drastically enhance your experience compared to going in fresh or after a long hiatus. That said, you'll encounter subtle nods—like the unmistakable sound of the tri-lens night vision goggles powering on—that will spark a smile of nostalgia, no matter how long it's been.