Halo Series Debuts on Paramount+ After Turbulent Production

The long-awaited Halo television series finally premiered on Paramount+ on March 24, 2022, after a troubled production that began in 2015. In Italy, it airs on Sky Atlantic and Now in original language from March 24, with Italian dubbing from March 28. Set in the 26th century, the series follows Spartan super-soldier John-117, aka Master Chief, as he battles the alien Covenant. Showrunners Kyle Killen and Steven Kane deliberately diverged from the game's plot to explore the character's humanity, even revealing Master Chief's face—a controversial move among fans. Executive producer Otto Bathurst, who had never played Halo before directing the pilot, aimed to expand the franchise for a broader audience. The series introduces a new timeline called "Silver Team" by 343 Industries, the game's developer. Actress Jen Taylor reprises her role as AI Cortana via performance capture. The creative choices have sparked debate about the relationship between video game narratives and film adaptations, echoing academic discussions by ludologist Jesper Juul and critic Ian Bogost.