The John Wick universe is about to get bigger with the much-awaited premiere of the John Wick prequel series. The show doesn’t have an exact release date yet, but the latest news about the project suggests that the long wait of fans will soon be over. Here’s everything you need to know about the highly anticipated project from Lionsgate TV.
What is the John Wick prequel series about?
Titled The Continental, the show will explore the origin story and inner workings of the exclusive Continental Hotel that serves as a refuge for assassins throughout the John Wick franchise. Set in 1975, the series follows a young Winston Scott as he attempts to seize control of the iconic hotel and charts a deadly course through the mysterious underworld of New York City.
Based on the concept conceived by Shawn Simmons, creator of the YouTube Premium series Wayne, The Continental will also explore real-world events, including the Great Garbage Strike and the American Mafia’s rise to economic power.
The Continental cast
The Continental will star Colin Woodell (The Flight Attendant) as the young Winston Scott. In the movies, Winston is played by Ian McShane. McShane, however, previously confirmed that he won’t appear in the John Wick prequel series, but could do voice-over work.
Woodell is joined by newcomer Ayomide Adegun, who will portray a young Charon, who is based on Lance Reddick’s character in the film series. Peter Greene (The Mask), meanwhile, will appear in the prequel as a young Uncle Charlie, who was played by David Patrick Kelly in the first two John Wick movies.
Katie McGrath (Jurassic World) is also part of The Continental cast. The actress will play The Adjudicator – a role being played by Asia Kate Dillon in the movies.
The John Wick prequel series will also feature performances by Mel Gibson (Braveheart) as Cormac; Ben Robson (The Boy) as Frankie; Hubert Point-Du Jour (The Good Lord Bird) as Miles; Jessica Allain (The Laundromat) as Lou; Mishel Prada (Vida) as KD; and Nhung Kate (The Housemaid) as Yen.
Will Keanu Reeves be in The Continental?
When The Continental was ordered to series by Lionsgate TV’s corporate sibling Starz back in 2018, the network’s brass said that fans can expect to see John Wick star Keanu Reeves at “some point on the series.” But in April 2021, Lionsgate TV head Kevin Beggs revealed that the actor won’t likely appear in the prequel
“Because we’re way back in time, way back pre-John Wick and even pre-young John Wick, that character is not finding his way into the universe [just yet],” Beggs told Deadline. “We are in the John Wick universe, but it’s way back in time. Think about the Game of Thrones prequels before you know any of the players, but you do know the world.”
Where to watch The Continental
Though the John Wick prequel series was originally set for Starz, Lionsgate announced in August 2022 that it had sold premiere rights to the series to Peacock under a multi-year deal, after having determined that the show was no longer a fit for Starz.
The Continental release date
Peacock has yet to set an exact premiere date for The Continental. But the limited series, which will only run for three 90-minute episodes, will arrive on the streaming service sometime in 2023 ― the same year John Wick: Chapter 4 is scheduled to open in theaters.
Albert Hughes directs the first and third episodes of the John Wick prequel series, with Charlotte Brandstrom helming the second episode.
Written and show-run by Greg Coolidge and Kirk Ward, The Continental is exec produced by Shawn Simmons, Albert Hughes, Chad Stahelski, Derek Kolstad, David Leitch, Paul Wernick, Rhett Reese, Marshall Persinger, and Thunder Road Pictures’ Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee.