Netflix is pairing Stranger Things producer Shawn Levy and Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight for a 4-episode limited drama series. The duo is working on adapting the World War II novel All the Light We Cannot See which comes from author Anthony Doerr. Here’s everything we know about the project which begins filming in March 2022.
Knight has assumed the screenwriting duties for the limited series, while Levy will direct all four episodes. Earlier in 2021, critically acclaimed Free Guy starring Ryan Reynolds was released, which Levy also directed.
The project has been in development at Levy’s 21 Laps Entertainment for a couple of years now and was first announced in 2019. Levy notably works with Netflix under an extensive overall deal.
Levy is on board to direct all four episodes of the series.
Steven Knight, Josh Barry, Shawn Levy, and Dan Levine all serve as executive producers of the project.
Here’s everything else we know about Netflix’s All the Light We Cannot See:
What’s the plot of All the Light We Cannot See?
As mentioned above, Netflix’s All the Light We Cannot See is an adaptation of Anthony Doerr’s 2014 Pulitzer-winning and bestselling novel of the same name.
Who is cast in All the Light We Cannot See?
Netflix announced a major search for its leading cast member in September 2021 with the requirements that they have to be blind or low-vision. They would play Marie-Laure. After two months, it was announced that the search was over.
In a mining town in Germany, Werner Pfennig, an orphan, grows up with his younger sister, enchanted by a crude radio they find that brings them news and stories from places they have never seen or imagined. Werner becomes an expert at building and fixing these crucial new instruments and is enlisted to use his talent to track down the resistance. Deftly interweaving the lives of Marie-Laure and Werner, Doerr illuminates the ways, against all odds, people try to be good to one another.
In December 2021, it was announced that Aria Mia Loberti would be the leading lady for the new series. This will be the actress’s debut title.
She celebrated the news by posting on Instagram with the following:
Aria will be playing the role of Marie-Laure Leblanc who is described as being thoughtful, curious, and intelligent. She communicates by using her radio to talk to people in the outside world during the Nazi occupation of France in World War 2.
Not in a million years did I think anything like this would ever happen to me. The creative team spearheading this project is the stuff dreams are made of. I am massively lucky. More lucky and humbled and grateful than I can express. Thank you for your trust and faith.
I am sensitive to the extent of this responsibility and what this character means for blind and disabled people, blind girls in particular. A blind lead portrayed by a blind actor. This is a significant leap forward for disability inclusion, rights, and representation on screen and beyond. I will never not feel the weight of that, and I will bear it proudly and use it as a catalyst for positive change, equity, and breaking down barriers.
Despite its many highs, my life has never been an easy one, filled with it’s fair share of obstacles, traumas, and battles. The same with Marie. Though the landscape through which Marie moves is different from my own, our spirit is the same. Marie will take root on screen as a fully independent, fully realized, fully empowered character. I look forward to bringing this incredible story to life, and I’m SO excited for you to all meet her.”
Pictured (left to right): Aria Mia Loberti, Mark Ruffalo, and Hugh Laurie
Then in January 2022, two other headline castings were announced with the inclusion of Mark Ruffalo and Hugh Laurie joining the cast.
Ruffalo (known for playing the Hulk in the MCU) will be playing Daniel Leblanc who is a locksmith at the Museum of Natural History and father of Marie-Laure. He’s determined, despite the occupation, to give her daughter the best education possible.
Laurie (best known for House M.D.) will play Etienne Leblanc, a wounded veteran suffering from PTSD. Serves as uncle to Daniel and great uncle of Marie-Laure.
Netflix is also cast Louis Hofmann a young boy who will play Werner Pfennig. He’s a specialist in detecting radio frequencies which leads him to Marie-Laure. Hofmann is most known for playing Jonas Kahnwald in Netflix’s hit German series, Dark.
Pascal Ulli is set to play Dr. Heinrich in the series. He’s known for playing Reinhard Küng in Netflix’s Undercover series.
Lars Eidinger has been cast as Sergeant Major Reinhold von Rumpel described as a terminally ill Nazi officer who spends his final days ruthlessly hunting down a prized, legendary diamond.
Nell Sutton will play Young Marie-Laure, the younger version of the blind girl, played by Loberti.
What’s the production status of All the Light We Cannot See?
As of October 2021, Netflix’s limited series All the Light We Cannot see is in its writing process. Filming was scheduled to start in Europe in the first quarter of 2022 according to issue 1265 of Production Weekly and we can now confirm that filming on the four-episode limited series is due to begin on March 14th, 2022, and run through to July 22nd, 2022.
The series will be primarily filmed in Berlin but additional reporting suggests that All The Light We Cannot See will also film extensively in Hungary.
How many episodes will be in All the Light We Cannot See?
Netflix’s All the Light We Cannot See is confirmed to consist of only four one-hour episodes.
What’s the Netflix release date for All the Light We Cannot See?
Netflix hasn’t set a release date for All the Light We Cannot See, but it would be safe to say sometime in 2023.
You can see what else Shawn Levy is currently cooking up for Netflix here.
