One unconventional indieDungeons & Dragonssystem would be a unique setting for a possible TV show and allow for a blending of some unexpected genres. There are several things that seemobvious for aDungeons & Dragonsshow, such as there being an abundance of magic, sword fights, and monsters, all wrapped in some form of a pseudo-medieval world.However, the tabletop’s most well-known system is not the only one that could be utilized, as several alternative systems exist that have twists to the standard format ofDungeons & Dragons.
FromDragonlance’s distinct world-building toCurse of Stahd’sclassic horror elements,settings for a possibleDungeons & Dragonsshowabound for studios to choose from. That being said,many of those studios may still have some trepidation about a possible project involving the tabletop game, asHonor Among Thievesproved that those high fantasy elements could isolate some audiences. Fortunately, one recently released system may provide the perfect setting for a show that relies both on the fantastical aspects of the tabletop, as well as more modern tropes:Monsterhearts.
Monsterhearts Is A Great System For A Dungeons & Dragons TV Show
Monsterhearts Was Released By Avery Alder In 2012
ADungeons & DragonsTV show that is set in theMonsterheartssystem would be fascinating, as it incorporates so many different tropes and allows for a lot of creative world-building.Monsterheartsis a module with a similar format totheDungeons & DragonsDungeon Masters Guide, but it takes place in a fictional high school and surrounding area that players can work together to create.Each character inMonsterheartshas a “skin” that gives them a collection of special abilitiesthat they can use to navigate the story. The main ones include the Fae, the Ghost, and the Witch.
The Obvious Choice For A Dungeons & Dragons Live-Action TV Show Would Be Adapting This Huge 40-Year-Old Series
This classic setting from the earliest days of D&D would make for an epic that could easily rival Game of Thrones as the best high fantasy TV around.
Monsterheartsexplores many aspects of one’s teenage years, including sexuality and LGBTQ+ themes, alongside other staple storylines that center on growing up. It also allows for players to lean into whatever set of tropes the party wants to experience, as seen in the slightly more horror-leaningCinderbrush: A Monsterhearts Storyone-shot from Critical Role. The system’s versatility and ability to mix genres would allow aDungeons & DragonsTV show to reach more audiences, making it a stronger system to pull from over the tabletop’s more established settings.
A Monsterhearts Show Could Be Better For Studios Than A More Traditional D&D Setting
The Show Could Combine Traditional High School Dramas Tropes With Fantasy Elements
Using theMonsterheartssystem for aDungeons & Dragonsshow would be smart, as studios could market the series to audiences who are unfamiliar with the tabletop.Monsterhearts’high school setting could make aDungeons & Dragonsshow easier to watchover the more prototypical settings, as it is in a familiar environment for more people, and the characters are dealing with more familiar problems.The show could blend in elements from high school rom-coms or drama templates, easing audiences into the world and expanding their understanding of the tabletop’s storytelling capabilities.
The show could incorporate aspects ofDungeons & Dragons, such as dungeon crawling and fighting magical opponents, and it would still make sense withinMonsterhearts' world.
For audiences who do love the more traditional aspects of the tabletop, aMonsterheartsshow could cater to them as well, since the story surrounds teenage monsters. The show could incorporate aspects ofDungeons & Dragons,such as dungeon crawling and fighting magical opponents, and it would still make sense withinMonsterhearts’world due to its open formatting. As a result, aDungeons & Dragonsshow could return to the cards for studios with a series that truly highlights the darker sides of high school.
Dungeons & Dragons
TheDungeons & Dragonsfranchise is a fantasy adventure series based on the iconic tabletop role-playing game. The franchise includes both live-action and animated adaptations, with the most notable being the recent filmDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves(2023), which brought the fantasy world of D&D to a broader audience with its blend of humor, action, and classic D&D elements. The franchise explores themes of heroism, friendship, and the unpredictable nature of adventuring in a magical world filled with dragons, wizards, and mythical creatures.
