The beloved puzzle-solving protagonist from the Da Vinci Code series is making a much-anticipated return in a new television adaptation. In 2021, Peacock launched an effort to translate Robert Langdon’s thrilling adventures into episodic storytelling with the series The Lost Symbol. This show, based on Dan Brown’s 2009 novel, featured Ashley Zukerman portraying the young Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon. Throughout the series, Langdon faces a sequence of intricate and deadly puzzles that he must decipher to rescue his kidnapped mentor while simultaneously unearthing a sinister global conspiracy. The cast also included talented actors such as Valorie Curry, Sumalee Montano, Rick Gonzalez, Eddie Izzard, and Beau Knapp, all contributing to the dynamic storytelling.
Despite its promising premise, The Lost Symbol struggled to connect with viewers, leading to its cancellation after just one season. Meanwhile, Netflix is eager to tap into the audience that Peacock couldn’t quite reach. According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix is currently in the development phase for a new series based on The Secret of Secrets, the latest novel by Dan Brown. Notably, Carlton Cuse, known for his work on Pulse and Lost, will take on the role of showrunner and executive producer for the project, collaborating closely with Dan Brown himself. They will also co-write the series alongside Emma Forman from Genre-Arts, who joins as an executive producer.
The Secret of Secrets marks the sixth installment in the highly acclaimed Robert Langdon series, which originally captivated audiences with The Da Vinci Code. This initial novel sparked considerable debate due to its controversial religious themes and eventually led to a successful film franchise featuring Tom Hanks and directed by Ron Howard. In the upcoming novel, Langdon is described as “racing against ancient forces and time to rescue a missing scientist and her groundbreaking manuscript whose discoveries have the power to forever change humanity’s understanding of the mind,” according to the logline. The anticipated Netflix adaptation promises to “blend futuristic science with mystical lore,” offering a fresh take on the beloved narrative.
Our own Alex Maidy had the opportunity to review Peacock’s The Lost Symbol prior to its premiere. He acknowledged that while the series succeeded in portraying certain elements of Dan Brown’s novels more effectively than the cinematic adaptations starring Tom Hanks, it still fell short in some respects. As Maidy noted, “The Lost Symbol does a far better job at bringing the intricate puzzle-solving and conspiracy elements to screen but still fails to capture the Indiana Jones-esque tone that Dan Brown’s novels manage to evoke,” reflecting a blend of excitement and critique. He further remarked, “All of the building blocks are here but there is just something missing. Fans of the books may find this adaptation to be a far more satisfying take on the source material but it still fails to be a rollicking adventure.” For a deeper dive into Alex Maidy’s insights, you can read the complete review right here.
