Did you know that the Dungeon Crawler Carl TV series was in development? If not, then rejoice because the bestselling books are coming to your screens soon!
When you think of a hero saving humanity from alien overlords, you probably don’t picture a down-on-his-luck guy and his spoiled Persian cat. And yet, that’s exactly the unlikely duo at the heart of Matt Dinniman’s Dungeon Crawler Carl series, a LitRPG phenomenon.
If you read books and are part of the literary circles on social media platforms, then I am sure you’ve heard highly positive reviews about this book series. I haven’t yet heard a single bad review about Dungeon Crawler Carl, and I am sure once you start reading the books, you will be hooked and devour all the published books in the series without a break.
The series, beloved for its absurd humor, sharp commentary, and surprisingly heartfelt characters, is now poised to reach an even wider audience with its upcoming adaptation.
Matt Dinniman has become one of the most recognizable names in the LitRPG space. The series was initially self-published by the author on Royal Road until it gained popularity, at which point Ace Books acquired it for traditional publishing.
Thanks to Kindle Unlimited readers and audiobook fans, the book gained even more popularity, with narrator Jeff Hayes lending Princess Donut her unforgettable voice.
The fandom around Dungeon Crawler Carl is as passionate as any in fantasy. On social media, the series has become a cult favorite, with recommendations spreading far outside traditional LitRPG circles. That popularity eventually caught Hollywood’s eye, and it was acquired for a TV adaptation.
For a story that already reads like a satirical, action-packed game show, the transition to TV feels almost inevitable!
What is the Plot of the Dungeon Crawler Carl TV Series?
Matt Dinniman’s storytelling is a unique blend of gamer logic, survival horror, and black comedy. His books are often described as laugh-out-loud funny, thrillingly violent, and oddly tender all at once.
There are currently 7 books in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, but the series adaptation will start with the first book!
Dungeon Crawler Carl opens with the end of the world. Alien corporations have destroyed Earth and transformed it into the ultimate reality TV event: a massive, multi-level dungeon crawl broadcast across the galaxy. Humanity’s survivors are forced to participate, battling monsters, dodging traps, and trying to win favor with alien spectators who treat their suffering as entertainment.
Carl, a Coast Guard veteran, and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, form an unlikely team. Thanks to the game’s bizarre rules, Donut gains intelligence and speech, becoming both Carl’s partner and comic foil. Together, they fight their way through dungeon levels that are as absurd as they are deadly.
If you haven’t read the book, here’s the official synopsis to give you an idea of what to expect from the live-action TV adaptation:
The apocalypse will be televised!
A man. His ex-girlfriend’s cat. A sadistic game show unlike anything in the universe: a dungeon crawl where survival depends on killing your prey in the most entertaining way possible.
In a flash, every human-erected construction on Earth—from Buckingham Palace to the tiniest of sheds—collapses in a heap, sinking into the ground.
The buildings and all the people inside have all been atomized and transformed into the dungeon: an 18-level labyrinth filled with traps, monsters, and loot. A dungeon so enormous, it circles the entire globe.
Only a few dare venture inside. But once you’re in, you can’t get out. And what’s worse, each level has a time limit. You have but days to find a staircase to the next level down, or it’s game over. In this game, it’s not about your strength or your dexterity. It’s about your followers, your views. Your clout. It’s about building an audience and killing those goblins with style.
You can’t just survive here. You gotta survive big.
You gotta fight with vigor, with excitement. You gotta make them stand up and cheer. And if you do have that “it” factor, you may find yourself with a following. That’s the only way to truly survive in this game—with the help of the loot boxes dropped upon you by the generous benefactors watching from across the galaxy.
They call it Dungeon Crawler World. But for Carl, it’s anything but a game.
Dungeon Crawler Carl TV Series Release Date:
At the moment, there is no official release date for the Dungeon Crawler Carl TV adaptation. With Universal and Fuzzy Door attached, and Christopher Yost writing, the project is confirmed to be in development; however, casting and production details are still under wraps.
Given typical production timelines, fans should not expect to see Carl and Donut hit the screen in the next few years, as it will take some time to develop.
Until then, follow Matt Dinniman on his social media handles to keep an eye out for casting announcements and teaser updates.
Should You Read the Book Instead?
If you can’t wait for the series, absolutely dive into the books first. Matt Dinniman’s writing is a rollercoaster of humor, action, and heart that a screen adaptation may not fully capture. And reading the books is a completely unique experience since this is a LitRPG book!
The sarcastic banter between Carl and Donut, the satirical corporate asides, and the sheer creativity of each dungeon level are best experienced in Dinniman’s original prose (or through the beloved audiobooks).
Reading the books also ensures you’ll be ready when the adaptation inevitably condenses or changes certain plotlines. You’ll know the backstories, inside jokes, and quirks that made the series a cult hit in the first place.
And honestly? Spending a few hundred pages with a snarky cat and her long-suffering human might be the best prep for watching the chaos unfold onscreen.
I would recommend reading all the books first to get ready for the release of the Dungeon Crawler Carl TV series.
Upcoming Book Adaptations: