On Screen · 4th century BC and AD 64 · Ancient Macedon, Central Macedonia, Greece
Netflix develops drama series on Alexander the Great and his tutor Aristotle
The streamer is also adapting Assassin's Creed as a series set in ancient Rome around AD 64, which is not expected before 2027.
News reports
Ancient Macedon, Greece Netflix is developing a historical drama series about Alexander the Great and his tutor, the philosopher Aristotle. The news site What's on Netflix reports that the series is based on The Golden Mean, a best-selling novel by Annabel Lyon. It comes from Jacob Tierney, creator of Heated Rivalry, with Jason Bateman as executive producer.
The project is at an early stage. What's on Netflix says the series is "still very early in development". It gives no cast, filming dates or release date.
The same report lists a second ancient-world project. Netflix's Assassin's Creed series, adapted from the video game series, takes viewers to ancient Rome around AD 64. Its showrunner is Roberto Patino, whose earlier credits include Westworld and Sons of Anarchy. It is not expected on Netflix until 2027.
A prince and a philosopher in Macedon
What's on Netflix describes Alexander as the son of King Philip II of Macedon and Queen Olympias. It says he is widely regarded as one of the greatest military masterminds in history. The series follows Alexander and Aristotle.
The historical outline is well documented. Alexander was born in 356 BC. Aristotle was invited to the Macedonian court around 343 BC to teach him. Alexander became king after Philip's murder in 336 BC. He died in Babylon in 323 BC, after campaigns that took him as far as India.
What happened during the lessons is much less certain. The fullest ancient account of Alexander's schooling comes from Plutarch, who wrote more than 400 years later. He places the teaching at Mieza in Macedon. Lyon's book is a novel, so the conversations it gives the two men are imagined.
Assassin's Creed goes to Rome in AD 64
The official longline calls Assassin's Creed a "high-octane thriller" about a secret war between two shadowy factions. One wants to decide humanity's future through control and manipulation. The other fights to keep free will. As in the games, the plot is fiction set against real history.
The series follows its characters across pivotal historical events as they battle to shape humanity's destiny.
Official longline for Netflix's Assassin's Creed series
The report does not say which events in Rome the series will show. AD 64 was the year of the Great Fire of Rome, during the reign of the emperor Nero. The historian Tacitus wrote the most detailed account of the fire in the early 2nd century AD.
What's on Netflix gives one more caveat for every title on its list. Filming can be delayed and release dates often shift, so plans for both series may change.
Sources
- New period dramas coming to Netflix in 2026 and beyond (What's on Netflix)
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