Gerard Way’s The Umbrella Academy headed to Netflix

The Umbrella Academy
The Umbrella Academy (Image credit: Dark Horse)

Gerard Way’s comic book series The Umbrella Academy is headed to Netflix.

The former My Chemical Romance frontman created and wrote the series in 2007 in conjunction with illustrator Gabriel Ba. And two years after it was put into development, streaming giant Netflix has scooped up the rights for a 10-episode live action series, which is expected in 2018.

The comics focus on a “dysfunctional family of superheroes” called The Monocle, Spaceboy, The Kraken, The Rumor, The Seance, Number Five, The Horror and The White Violin. Despite their differing points of view, they band together to solve the riddle of their father’s mysterious death.

Way says: “I am thrilled that The Umbrella Academy has found a home at Netflix. I couldn’t think of a better place for the vision Gabriel Ba and myself had when creating the comic, and cannot wait for people to experience that world as a live action show.”

Netflix’s vice president of original content Cindy Holland adds: “What drew us to The Umbrella Academy is that it’s wholly unique, visual and stylised.

“These aren’t the usual superheroes and this series will embrace the singular tone of the graphic novels – dark yet humorous, supernatural yet grounded in reality.

“We’re excited to see this world and introduce these unforgettable heroes to Netflix members around the globe.”

Steve Blackman, known for his work on Fargo, will serve as showrunner, while the pilot script will be adapted from the comics by Jeremy Slater who created Fox series The Exorcist.

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Scott Munro
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Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more for Louder. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, The Tragically Hip, Marillion and Rush.