Fallout TV series: cast, first look and everything we know about the video game adaptation

The Fallout TV series is in development and gamers everywhere are excited for the upcoming series based on the video game franchise by Bethesda, which will explore how civilization has rebuilt itself after a nuclear war changed life as we know it forever.  

The popular roleplaying game is set after The Great War in 2077, which saw vast, deadly exposure to radiation and the subsequent collapse of social and government structures, to the point where mass devastation was achieved in only two hours.

Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan at Kilter Films are heading up the Fallout adaptation, with the Prime Video series being the first time the game franchise has been developed for the small screen, outside of fan projects.

Todd Howard, Executive Producer at Bethesda Game Studios, has shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming adaptation and said: "Over the last decade, we looked at many ways to bring Fallout to the screen.

"But it was clear from the moment I first spoke with Jonah and Lisa a few years ago, that they and the team at Kilter were the ones to do it right. We’re enormous fans of their work and couldn’t be more excited to work with them and Amazon Studios."

So tune your Pip-Boys, crack open a Nuka Cola and let's explore what we know about the Fallout series so far...

Fallout release date

Right now, all we know is that Fallout is getting a 2024 release. We will have to wait patiently to find out more.

Who's working on the series?

Westworld co-creator Jonathan Nolan will direct the premiere of the Fallout TV series, and Tomb Raider's Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Silicon Valley's Graham Wagner are showrunners.

When we have further details about who's attached to the project, we'll keep you updated.

How closely will it follow the video games?

Prime Video has not yet confirmed an official plot for the new adaptation, but there are lots of possibilities that could be explored due to the fact that the Fallout franchise has featured different locations, factions and creatures over the years.

However, according to PC Gamer Bethesda's Todd Howard said: "It's not retelling a game story. It's basically an area of the map, let's tell a story here that fits in the world that we have built. It doesn't break any of the rules, it can reference things in the games but isn't a retelling of the games. It exists in the same world but is its own unique thing."

While the video games always feature a human protagonist, often a former Vault Dweller, we know that the main character in this series is a Ghoul, who are mutated humans that have been exposed to intense and prolonged radiation over time. They resemble zombies, but can still live and function normally, however, many people are repulsed by them due to their appearance.

Actor Walton Goggins, who will play the as-yet-unnamed Ghoul, has shared a few behind-the-scenes photos on the set of Fallout where he wrote: "Day 1… FALLOUT… for Amazon. Deep breath…. Exhale… Let’s see where this road goes want too."

Over time we should expect to see some pics of Walton after he's been "ghoulified", to resemble the irradiated humans featured in the series. So we might be getting some glimpses at cool practical effects in the coming months!

Kilter Films has also teased that Fallout will be "a gonzo, crazy, funny, adventure, and mindf*** like none you’ve ever seen before", according to Deadline. Sounds promising!

Where is Fallout set?

The TV adaptation will take place in Vault 33, located in a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles. This is the first time the Fallout universe has taken place here since the original games, with stories also being set in Nevada, Boston and Washington DC.

The news was confirmed via a Twitter update which read: "Vault 33. Location: Los Angeles. Fallout, an original series, coming to Prime Video in 2024"

Who's in the Fallout cast?

Walton Goggins is joined by a great cast so far including Yellowjackets star Ella Purnell, Twin Peaks' Kyle MacLachlan, The Wheel of Time season 2 star Xelia Mendes-Jones, and Disjointed's Aaron Moten.

It's not yet known who these cast members will play, but there's a mountain of possibilities. Could President John Henry Eden make an appearance or much-loved Galaxy News Radio host Three-Dog? We'll have to wait and see!

Fallout: first look images

After months of patiently waiting, we finally have our official first look image from the series, in honour of Fallout's 25th birthday! Based on the image, the series feature Vault 33 which hasn't yet appeared in the video games.

Kilter Films and Prime Video wrote: "Congratulations and Happy 25th Birthday! We made something special for the occasion."

In addition, fans have spotted some sets for Fallout in Staten Island, New York, but it's not yet known if the series will actually be set there or if it's somewhere different. 

Take a look below for a sneak peek at the Fallout set including rusted cars, a Super Duper Mart and the truck stop Red Rocket Corp!

We've also had our first glimpse inside the Vault-Tec vaults, although there's not much to go off just yet! You can take a look at the sets below, with one room modelled to look like a nursery.

So far that's our only glimpse of the Fallout sets but we'll be sure to update you if any more are released to give fans a taste of what's to come. 

Further filming locations haven't been confirmed either, so outside of Staten Island we don't know where else Fallout will be filmed just yet.

Is there a trailer yet?

While we haven't had any teasers released to the public, IGN has reported that the first glimpse of the series was shown at Gamescom 2023. 

In their article, they revealed that: "In the short trailer there were glimpses of the Brotherhood of Steel ominously marching across a dusty desert reminiscent of more urban version of Dune’s Arrakis setting, their iconic Vertibird vehicles, a vault opening as a woman shielded her eyes from the sun.

"Multiple nuclear explosions taking place in what looks like a present-day setting, and a shot of who we presume is Walter Goggins’ ghoul character who bore more than a passing resemblance for Fallout 4’s John Hancock."

So we're very excited to see more when they officially release some teasers!