Dragon Age is coming to Netflix! I repeat Dragon Age is coming to Netflix! BioWare and Netflix just revealed a brand-new Dragon Age animated series, Dragon Age: Absolution - a six-episode Netflix animated series - debuting in December 2022!
I'm going over everything we know about this Dragon Age show so far, from its initial details to its poster and a full shot-by-shot breakdown of the show's trailer! Stay tuned to my channel for more information about this exciting new Dragon Age series as we learn more about it!
Netflix YouTube Description:
It’s official: Dragon Age is coming to Netflix. Dragon Age: Absolution - a six episode Netflix animated series - debuts December 2022.
About Dragon Age: Absolution
- Set in Tevinter, an empire within the Dragon Age universe
- Created in collaboration with BioWare, creators of the Dragon Age video game franchise (winner of over 130+ Game of the Year awards)
- Features an ensemble of new characters inspired by, and authentic to, Dragon Age lore; including elves, mages, knights, Qunari, Red Templars, demons, and other special surprises
Created by show-runner Mairghread Scott. Produced by Red Dog Culture House.
Cast not yet revealed :)
The Gamer Article:
Dragon Age is coming to Netflix with a new animated show, Absolution. Dragon Age: Absolution is premiering on the platform in December of this year, and the first trailer is out now.
Dragon Age: Absolution will take place in Tevinter, following an elven protagonist and their companions, who include humans, a Qunari, and a dwarf. Not much else is known about the new show just yet, but it's likely that it will tie into the upcoming Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, given that they share the same setting.
Dragon Age fans will, however, recognize a few things from the trailer. Many of the new heroes we see resemble characters that have appeared in pieces of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf concept art, most notably the Qunari mage. This, however, may just be a coincidence, especially since the trailer says that Absolution is a "new saga", whereas Dreadwolf will likely continue on from Inquisition's story pretty directly.
Another thing that's interesting to note is that it doesn't appear that our new heroes are fighting against agents of Solas. In fact, we only get a good look at them fighting monsters and the undead, not giving us a clear idea of who the antagonists will be in Absolution. And with it being set in a country that we haven't had much of a look at so far, anything could happen.
The Poster:
Journey to Tevinter in DRAGON AGE: ABSOLUTION, coming soon to Netflix
Welcome to a new series in the #DragonAge universe! Watch Dragon Age: Absolution on @Netflix this December. #GeekedWeek
Shot By Shot Trailer Breakdown:
The trailer starts with a shot of a city in Thedas. We can see a beautifully-lit city in the moonlight, resting peacefully.
Initially, I thought this was a Tevinter city given the fact that this show is predominately set in Tevinter, and it definitely still could be a city in Tevinter, however, after comparing this shot to concept art and official artworks, I think this is a city in Antiva, a country east of Tevinter. The bauble-like designs, the bay and marina - it all reminds me of Antiva City which was depicted as a waterfront city with a mountainous-jagged terrain and a sprawling ocean. I could be wrong, though, the safe bet is that this is somewhere in Tevinter.
Next, we have a cute-looking bird flying over an ocean that has varying rocks in it, transitioning to a new destination, most likely in Tevinter. The sky is beautiful with many hues of orange and blue as the sun is setting. The ‘From BioWare’ text showcases that BioWare has had some input into this show.
The bird arrives at a tall Andrastian statue, as the shot transitions to a high-up view of this city. This entire location is certainly somewhere in Tevinter given its tall, spikey towers and structures, its sprawling landmass and rocky landscape with vast forests and valleys. I think this is a new city in Tevinter where this story may take place.
We enter inside this tower with a magical, purple hue, once more reinforcing that this is Tevinter given that their foundations are built on magic. Inside this gothic tower is a chained-up dead dragon, showcasing the experiments and intrigue that potentially goes on here.
We get our first glimpse at one of the characters in this show. He’s a brown-haired mage wearing a black and gold coat, most likely a Tevinter magister. I think he’s one of the villains of this story, which I’ll explain further later. His eyes glow red which assumes blood magic as he casts a spell with his staff. Given the squashing transition, I get the impression that he cast a teleportation spell?
Next up, we see a mysterious ouroboros which is also used in the title of this show. An ouroboros depicts a snake or dragon devouring its own tail and that is used especially to represent the eternal cycle of destruction and rebirth. Dragon Age has a lot of representation with an ouroboros. For instance, Mythal has been seen with an ouroboros below her feet when she met with Kieran in the Fade, representing her rebirth. And King Maric was strapped to a Magrallen which featured the same design, a Magrallen is a Tevinter device empowered by blood magic that dates back to an ancient time when the Dreamers commanded the Fade. Either way, this ouroboros does not resemble anything good, destruction and rebirth are the themes I’m getting for this story.
Now, before the camera focuses on the ouroboros, we can very slightly see two figures standing, holding something between them. In front of some magical circular beam. We’ll get to that beam later on.
The next shot showcases another location, probably also in Tevinter. It’s a picturesque land with valleys, mountains and a rocky edge.
Following that, a new character is stood just outside this Magister’s tower from a few seconds ago. The ground has pillared rocks all over the place as if a fight emerged. The tower above is glittering with magic.
The next shot is a closer shot of our elven protagonist. They’re wearing a teal green cloak with a light blue tunic. We can see their holstered pockets and two daggers held by their side, ready to attack.
The next shot is centred on a location beside the sea with a massive corpse of a defeated beast. Perhaps a dragon, although we have heard in Tevinter Nights about many sea creatures that lurk in Tevinter’s oceans. We can see a few characters of note walking past. Our main group of characters, I assume. We have a dwarf warrior, a Qunari mage, our elven rogue and three humans. The lady human is a mage, one of the humans is a warrior, and I’m not sure about the other one, but I’ll assume rogue. Which means our party comprises two of each class. A good balance. ‘New Heroes Rise’ is displayed revealing that this story is a brand-new tale with new characters we’ll fall in love with. We’re not sure if we’ll see any returning characters, or if any will make their way into Dreadwolf. Even so, it’s nice to have new Dragon Age characters to buzz over.
We get a fantastic scene of a new Qunari mage in action throwing a fire spell, saving a few people in narrowed streets.
Netflix Geeked tweeted a new picture of her, not seen in the trailer. We can see her beautiful features and long white hair. She looks amazing. Although the kid at the side looks terrified, either because of her and her magic, or maybe there’s something behind her.
Next up, in a matter of seconds, you’ll miss it if you blink. Fortunately, I can slow this down. Our elven rogue swings into action, throwing themselves at two undistinguished men in some kind of larder with kegs of what I assume beer, which could be poison or something else.
‘A New Saga Begins’ pops up, revealing that this story is a much-involved heroic journey, set over a certain period of time. Most likely away from Dreadwolf’s main plot. That doesn’t mean it won’t tie in, but I feel that this story will be telling a new, different tale in Tevinter. The shot followed is a massive golden door with a single person entering. It reminds me of the Golden City as if being greeted to stay there after death. There’s a beautiful pattern with varying pictures etched, like a few dragons and beasts in a hallway. And something else that looks like lyrium.
Next up, we’re back at that beam of purple light. We can directly see the people involved this time. Both look very unique, one is a mage, the other a warrior surrounded by purple mist, and lighting as they look into this beam.
The next shot reveals a very ambiguous, peculiar, hooded figure with glowing eyes like a pride demon. I don’t know who or what the heck this could be. Is it an agent of Fen’Harel like a high-ranking officer? Is it a Pride demon manifested in a human body? Is this Solas’s new look? Is it a new demon? Like I have no clue other than it resembles a pride demon just like the Dread Wolf. It freaks me out and I can’t wait to find out more about this figure.
The next scene is a fight between a Venatori and our elven rogue, as the Venatori yeets upwards to strike.
Next, we get a harrowing close-up of our elven rogue. We can see she has a marking on her left eye. I feel like this could be a Tevinter slave marking as there’s no valaslin like this. She’s wearing a different outfit from previous scenes, so maybe this is a flashback or a flashforward.
We bear witness to what she’s looking at with remorse. There’s a figure casting some ritual or spell involving two people’s essence? They seem bound in a spell for whatever nefarious purposes.
The next scene is a fantastic fight scene with a new character, she’s holding a massive hammer as she fights what looks like a Rage demon, but it could be something else entirely. The lady has Templar-looking armour, however, it’s black and gold just like our villainous magister from the start, perhaps aligning her with him. Maybe, maybe not.
And then we get the epic party shot. We can see, in full detail, a few of the main characters explored briefly before. Our Qunari mage is to the far left in a completely new getup that matches the dwarven warrior and the human rogue. Whereas the human warrior and human mage both wear similar-looking gear too. Matching quite fashionably. Then our elven rogue is revealed with a blue cloak whipping blood off her face, as she said, “We’re in.”
From this, we can assume very obviously the group are embarking on some heist together. The reason they are all kitted out is because this is probably towards the end of the mission.
We get an epic shot of our dwarf warrior tearing up undead monsters. We see our sword and shield human smash some up. Our Qunari Mage, who's taken her hair down explaining her different appearance, casts a catastrophic spell through the corridors of the larder that the elven rogue was at before. Hitting what looks like the mage from the beam with who unleashed our Pride figure.
Next up, we see our Magister from the start. Our elven rogue surrounds him furiously, she strikes him as he creates a magical shield.
Our human mage casts a spell that is then transitioned with a massive magical explosion destroying an entire town, it looks like.
And then we get the title, Dragon Age Absolution. Which I bloody love as a title! Absolution means releasing from guilt, obligation, or punishment. With the ouroboros also in this title, I’m getting a sense of Tevinter Magisters releasing something awful into the world, most likely related to Solas given the Pride figure and that beam ritual. Maybe they’re releasing a forbidden one/forgotten one, or The Formless One. Maybe they’re just after another Old God. The fact that Absolution can refer to a punishment makes me think more elven stuff, but the Old Gods were also sent to an eternity of imprisonment, so it could refer to either, both, or something completely new. Either way, I’m so excited, and I’m not done talking about this just yet.
I wish Netflix did weekly releases so we could watch an episode, reflect, break it down and get ready for the next one. I do love a good binge, mind, but with this being Dragon Age, I want to savour as much as possible. I’ll still probably make breakdowns of each episode for the sheer fun of it.
But let me know your thoughts, what do you think, did I miss anything. I want to hear it all.