Netflix has released the first teaser for their upcoming series A Series of Unfortunate Events.
In it, we find the chronicler of the series of unfortunate events, Lemony Snicket, alone on a sound stage with the various accoutrement of production scattered around him.
He proceeds to regale the audience with the story of the cast of crew of Netflix’s new show and how they succumbed to the utter sadness of the tale they were attempting to produce.
As he does so, an exclamation of joy is heard from off-screen, heralding a changing of fortunes and culminating in a decidedly sinister laugh.
Snicket finishes his conversation with the viewer by urging them to turn away now while they still have a sense of happiness.
Obviously, this isn’t the real Snicket but rather the modestly famous actor Patrick Warburton lending his style of dry humor to Netflix’s adaptation of the children’s book series.
The tone of the teaser is promising, showing off the mixture of comedy and tragedy the Series is renowned for. The breaking of the fourth wall and intrusion of Snicket on the story are similarly returning themes.
And, finally, we get our first taste of Neil Patrick Harris in the villainous role of Count Olaf, as it is his voice we hear from off-screen cheering whilst everyone else is in doldrums.
Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events will premiere Friday, Jan. 13, 2017, with an eight-episode first season.
