Lemony Snicket’s ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ On Netflix: Everything You Need To Know

We know it’s still 2016, but A Series of Unfortunate Events is already poised to be your favorite new Netflix Original of 2017. The eight-episode series is based on Lemony Snicket’s (aka Daniel Handler’s) spell-binding 13-book-long series of the same name. The books followed the woefully verbose misadventures of the Baudelaire orphans, as they struggle to find happiness even though their distant relative, the vile and villainous Count Olaf, tries to control their literal and metaphoric fortunes.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new Netflix series.

When does the first season of A Series of Unfortunate Events arrive on Netflix?

Tragically not until January 13, 2017. It’s a most ominous day, as it happens to be Friday the 13th. Bad luck usually falls on that day and we are all going to be so unlucky when this horrifying series enters our lives.

Who’s starring in it?

Neil Patrick Harris will be playing the cartoonishly evil Count Olaf and Patrick Warburton will be the despondent and deadpan narrator Lemony Snicket. Aasif Mandvi will be Uncle Monty, Alfre Woodard is Aunt Josephine, and Joan Cusack will play Justice Strauss.

Who’s playing the Baudelaire orphans?

Malina Weissman (seen above), whom you may know as young Kara on Supergirl, will play the eldest child, the plucky and protective Violet, and newcomer Louis Hynes will play the bookish Klaus. We don’t know yet which babies will be playing the baby Baudelaire, Sunny, but we bet they’re great babies.

What do the characters look like? What will the style of the series be? Has any footage been released? TELL ME!

Netflix has only released one official teaser trailer online. It features Lemony Snicket himself (Warburton) wandering around an empty set filled with set dressing from the show and Easter eggs that refer to key details in the books. He warns viewers of the terrible show’s impending doom and says everyone involved in the making of the series is suffering from bouts of melancholia. Well, everyone, save for one. You can hear Neil Patrick Harris’s Count Olaf crowing in the background.

And that’s it, folks!

That’s it? That’s all they’ve shared?

Well… there is this top secret site called veryflammabledandelions.com that gives us a glimpse of some set design.

Ch-ch-check it out:

Is the new Netflix series based on ALL the books in A Series of Unfortunate Events?

Based on what little we know, it looks like the first season will follow the events of at least the first three books: The Bad Beginning, The Reptile Room and The Wide Window. We’re guessing they’ll eke out the remaining books over a few more seasons — you know, if it’s successful. (But the teaser already netted 2.5 million views on YouTube in a week, so we think it will be successful.)

Okay, let’s say I’m a massive fan of the books. How can I be sure that I’m going to like this television adaptation?

Hey, I’m a lowly TV critic and haven’t seen it yet, but I do know that Netflix nabbed Barry Sonnenfeld to direct and produce it. Sonnenfeld worked closely alongside the real Daniel Handler on the original film adaptation, but then he left the project over budget disputes. Now he has full license to adapt Handler’s material the way he always wanted.

Sure, but let’s say I’m not a big fan of the books. What makes Netflix think I’ll like it?

Well, it’s an 8-episode long season of a grim, fantastic, fun adventure starring some oddball kids and some weirder adults.

Hmm…that sounds a little like Stranger Things.

Yeah, A Series of Unfortunate Events hits the same sweet spot as Netflix’s big summer hit.

How long do I have to wait for it to come out?

A Series of Unfortunate Events debuts on Netflix on Friday the 13th of January 2017.

[Click here to add A Series of Unfortunate Events onto your Netflix List]

[Photos: Getty Images, Netflix]