‘A Series of Unfortunate Events Season 1 Expected to Premiere on January 13; Author Explains Choosing Neil Patrick Harris for Count Olaf Role in Netflix Adaptation

‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ season 1 is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on January 13. Author Daniel Handler explained his reasons for choosing Neil Patrick Harris for the role of Count Olaf in the new adaptation, a character famously portrayed by comedian Jim Carey in the original 2004 film adaptation.

Netflix’s television adaptation of the series of children’s novels authored by Handler a.k.a. Lemony Snicket is scheduled to debut on January 13, 2017. It was developed by Mark Hudis and executive produced by Handler, Barry Sonnenfeld, and Cindy Holland.

During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Handler admitted that it was his idea to cast Harris in the villainous role of Count Olaf for the Netflix’ television adaptation. He said, “Neil was kind of my idea, to be honest… “I saw him do that big song, ‘It’s Not Just for Gays Anymore,’ and I just immediately saw someone who could pull off a million things at once.” Handler referred to Harris’ opening performance at the 65th Tony Awards on Broadway held on June 2011, which the actor hosted.

Handler continued, “Now, just to watch him work, I feel like it’s visiting an amazing factory. When Count Olaf’s in disguise, he’s playing a guy who’s playing a guy and Neil plans out everything. How he’s going to open a door, how he’s going to gesture. It’s really funny and it’s just an amazing machine.”

The series follows the Baudelaire orphans Violet (Malina Weismann), Klaus (Louis Hynes), and Sunny (Presley Smith) as they are placed under the protective custody of their immoral “relative” count Olaf after their parents perished in a mysterious fire that ravaged their family home. Count Olaf, a man who introduces himself as distant relative of the Baudelaires, is obsessed with taking the children’s inheritance as his own. He is also notorious for numerous counts of arson.

According to the A.V. Club, the children sense danger and escape Olaf’s clutches only to end up in the homes of numerous “guardians.” Olaf chases after them donning different disguises so as not to be recognized.

‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ season 1 is set to premiere its eight episodes on Netflix on January 13, 2017. It also stars Joan Cusack, Catherine O’Hara, Don Johnson, Alfre Woodard, K. Todd Freeman, and Patrick Warburton.