Check Out Neil Patrick Harris' Count Olaf For A Series Of Unfortunate Events

It has been almost two years since Netflix first announced it was teaming with Paramount TV for a small screen adaptation of the beloved children's novel series A Series of Unfortunate Events, and we now finally have our first good look at actor Neil Patrick Harris' take on the cunning and dastardly antagonist Count Olaf. And I think he pulls off the "someone I wouldn't want to be alone with on a bus, much less look to as my legal guardian" look down pat.

neil patrick harris count olaf

Previous looks at the upcoming series were even more brief than this one, and while they were fun, fans clamored for a peek at the second live-action version of Count Olaf, who was memorably played by Jim Carrey in the film version. Neil Patrick Harris seems a bit more grounded as the character, though still with the appropriately pointy face and fluffy unibrow. That will probably change as things go on, though, when the costumes come out and he starts to get more grizzled. It's gonna be great.

Also, I want this poster on my wall in the near future. Just maybe without the Netflix logo.

count olaf

Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events will spend eight episodes chronicling its first season's adventures. With the perfectly cast Patrick Warburton narrating things as author Lemony Snicket, the story will follow the Baudelaire siblings, who were orphaned after their parents were killed in a fire. Klaus (Louis Hynes), Violet (Malina Weissman) and presumably baby Sunny are sent to live with their distant relative Olaf (not the singing one, obvs). He's a criminal and murderer who disguises himself to commit his heinous acts, and those acts are sometimes directed at the children themselves. He's the worst person for the siblings to be around, but they're the only ones who can see through his disguises, so adults have no clue what's happening. Won't someone please think of the children?

You can check out the fantastic full teaser below to see Harris speak his mildly threatening first line, as well. The set design looks superb.

Viewers can get a much better look at Neil Patrick Harris' Count Olaf when A Series of Unfortunate Events makes its debut on Friday, January 13. To see what else you'll be able to find on the streaming service next year, check out our 2017 Netflix schedule

Nick Venable
Assistant Managing Editor

Nick is a Cajun Country native and an Assistant Managing Editor with a focus on TV and features. His humble origin story with CinemaBlend began all the way back in the pre-streaming era, circa 2009, as a freelancing DVD reviewer and TV recapper.  Nick leapfrogged over to the small screen to cover more and more television news and interviews, eventually taking over the section for the current era and covering topics like Yellowstone, The Walking Dead and horror. Born in Louisiana and currently living in Texas — Who Dat Nation over America’s Team all day, all night — Nick spent several years in the hospitality industry, and also worked as a 911 operator. If you ever happened to hear his music or read his comics/short stories, you have his sympathy.