Todd Howard Leaves Door Open for ‘Elder Scrolls’ TV Series Despite ‘Fallout’ Superiority

Bethesda Game Studios executive Todd Howard has not dismissed the possibility of a television adaptation for the ‘Elder Scrolls’ franchise. In a recent interview, he highlighted why ‘Fallout’ proved more adaptable to the screen than the medieval fantasy world of Tamriel. Howard emphasized the decade-long development process behind the ‘Fallout’ series, which allowed for a structured narrative suitable for episodic television.

The ‘Fallout’ adaptation, produced by Amazon MGM Studios, premiered its first season in April 2024 and quickly amassed 65 million views in 17 days. Howard noted the project’s origins trace back over 10 years, involving extensive collaboration with showrunners like Jonathan Nolan. This groundwork enabled the series to blend post-apocalyptic satire with action, drawing from games like ‘Fallout 3’ and ‘Fallout 4’. Season 2, set for release in 2026, incorporates elements from ‘Fallout: New Vegas’, including its multiple faction endings handled through a “fog of war” narrative technique.

Howard contrasted this with ‘Elder Scrolls’, which spans vast, player-driven lore across titles like ‘The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’ from 2011. He stated, “Fallout was more uniquely suited” for adaptation due to its consistent retro-futuristic aesthetic and contained timelines. The franchise’s wasteland setting facilitates diverse threats, from deathclaws to super mutants, as described by new Season 2 cast member Macaulay Culkin: “You could have zombies in it, you have deathclaws, you have monsters and things like that… You name it, you can throw it at the wall.”

Culkin joins the ensemble as a yet-unnamed recurring character, alongside returning leads Ella Purnell as Lucy MacLean, Walton Goggins as the Ghoul, and Aaron Moten as Maximus. Production for Season 2 wrapped principal photography in Namibia and Utah, with post-production underway. Howard revealed Season 3 has received a greenlight, and Moten suggested the story arc may conclude around Seasons 5 or 6, aligning with the games’ expansive but finite regional focuses.

The ‘Fallout’ success boosted Bethesda’s player base by 7.4 million on Steam within weeks of launch. Howard credited the adaptation’s fidelity to the source material, including practical effects for creatures and environments. For ‘Elder Scrolls’, challenges include depicting expansive magic systems and ancient histories, such as the Dwemer disappearance in ‘Morrowind’ or the dragonborn prophecy in ‘Skyrim’.

Despite these hurdles, Howard left room for future explorations: “You never know.” He added that the ‘Fallout’ triumph has sparked internal discussions at Bethesda about branching into other IPs. The studio, under Microsoft ownership since 2021, continues development on ‘The Elder Scrolls VI’, announced in 2018 with no release window yet.

This openness comes amid a surge in video game adaptations, following successes like ‘The Last of Us’ on HBO. Howard’s comments, made ahead of ‘Fallout’ Season 2’s promotional push, underscore Bethesda’s cautious expansion strategy. The franchise’s roots date to 1997’s ‘Fallout’ by Interplay Productions, evolving into a multimedia empire with over 50 million units sold across titles.

As ‘Fallout’ Season 2 filming concluded in November 2024, anticipation builds for its integration of New Vegas lore 15 years post-game events. Howard’s reluctance to commit to ‘Elder Scrolls’ reflects the high production demands, estimated at $10 million per episode for comparable fantasy series like ‘The Rings of Power’. Yet, the potential for a Tamriel-based show remains a tantalizing prospect for fans awaiting the next game installment.