On June 11, 2025,the teaser trailerfor the upcomingFallouttelevision adaptation was unveiled to the world. First announced in July 2020 with Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy serving as the showrunners, this series will take the open-world video game franchise in a live-action direction.
Even though the trailer showed promise, it’s hard not to be skeptical. While there have been some fantastic video game adaptations likeArcaneand The Last of Us series, there have also been horrendous ones like Paramount’sHaloseries. With the show’s premiere date looming on the horizon, let’s examine some crucial elements this new post-apocalyptic series should include if it wants to succeed.
10Liberty Prime
The Brotherhood Of Steel’s Mascot
Featured prominently in the trailer was one of the Fallout universe’s most influential and powerful coalitions, theBrotherhood of Steel, a technology-focused paramilitary order boasting a storied history that spans across the irradiated United States.
One of the most recognizable elements of the faction is Liberty Prime. First appearing in Fallout 3, this massive robot became one of the series' most iconic figures. While the writers should be mindful of having unduly fan service, a Liberty Prime appearance would undoubtedly be a welcome inclusion.
9The Fat Man
The Series' Most Iconic Weapon
Fallout has no shortage of quintessential weapons. From 1950s-inspired arms to the more outlandishly scientific contraptions, there are plenty of memorable firearms that the writers can choose to incorporate into the series. But the sovereign among them is the Fat Man.
The Fat Man is a shoulder-mounted launcher that lobs mini-nukes. Again, it is vital for writers not to deliver an overload of fan service. Nevertheless, given the Fat Man’s status in gaming history, it’d be a missed opportunity not to inject it.
8Deathclaws
The Ravenous Predators Of The Fallout Universe
The nuclear apocalypse at Fallout’s core gave birth to countless horrifying creatures. Some are mutated versions of already existing animals, while others are nothing short of pure Lovecraftian nightmares. At the zenith of the Fallout’s animal kingdom is the ravenousDeathclaw.
Deathclaws have long been a franchise staple and have appeared in every Fallout game since the first title in 1997. It does seem likely that Fallout’s most bloodthirsty monster will appear in the show. The honest concern revolves around how “good” it will look.
7The NCR
Post-Apocalyptic Democracy
There isn’t an outright “good” faction in the world of Fallout. Each one of them has crippling flaws in some way. However, if there were an organization in this universe that seemed the ideal choice for a new government, it would be the New California Republic.
Because the television series will take place in the greater California area, the NCR will presumably appear in some facet. What remains to be seen is if the showrunners present them as embellished and complicated or as generically one-dimensional.
6Vault-Tec’s Twisted Experiments
A New Life Underground
Based on what we saw in the trailer, the main character (played by Ella Purnell) will be a vault dweller venturing into the wasteland. While it’s unclear how muchthe Vaults and Vault-Tecwill factor into the narrative, they must be translated accurately.
In Fallout, Vault-Tec created the Vaults to perform experiments on an unsuspecting populace. These experiments are crucial to the Fallout universe and Vault-Tec’s reputation as false saviors. It would be inadvisable for the writers to ignore or alter that element.
5The Legion
Led By The Son Of Mars
Perhaps no faction in the Fallout universe is as fierce as the Legion. Most predominantly featured inFallout New Vegas, the Legion was founded by Edward “Caesar” Sallow and Joshua Graham based on the principles of ancient Rome.
Similar to the NCR, the Legion’s presence is primarily out West, so there’s a chance they could appear in the series. Should the writers choose to utilize them, they should make sure not to shy away from their viciousness while also showcasing what makes their society function.
4Morally Grey Situations
Nothing Is Black And White In The Wasteland
What makes the Fallout series so captivating is how nothing is black-and-white. WhileBethesda’s entries aren’t as good at this, Fallout 1, 2, and especiallyNew Vegas do an excellent jobpresenting you with difficult choices, some of which have no “good” outcome.
Capturing that complexity is paramount to how much the Fallout show will be regarded as a faithful adaptation of the games. Even when you remove the interactivity component, the Fallout world’s narrative complexity must remain untampered with.
3Layered Antagonists
A Stable Of The Franchise
As much as we all love the good guy overcoming the bad guy, that’s never really been a part of Fallout’s identity. Very often, even the most terrible individuals make compelling arguments and, in defeat, can manage to win in some manner.
Fallout doesn’t feature many stories of right triumphing over evil. The antagonists and threats of the nuclear wasteland are never that straightforward. While raiders can rightfully be presented as unredeemable, for the show’s main antagonist, it’d be wise to give them layers.
2Ron Perlman Narration
War Never Changes
If anyone could be deemed as the voice of the Fallout, it’d be Ron Perlman’s role as the Narrator. Between the first Fallout and New Vegas, the Narrator would provide a synopsis of where things stand at the beginning of the game and how they’ve changed by the end.
Since Perlman’s character doesn’t have an in-game presence, the writers may not see the need to have him appear. However, if they wish to assure the fanbase that Fallout is in good hands, Ron Perlman’s voice might be the answer.
1Respect For The Games
Honor The Source Material
It took decades for Hollywood to adapt video games in a respectful or virtuous way. Even now, adaptations likeParamount’s Halo showwill come along, which spit in the face of the games they are supposedly based on.
It’s expected that some details from the Fallout games will be altered for the television series. However, given that the show is supposedly canon, it’s even more critical for the writers to respect the universe created by Tim Cain and Interplay all those years ago.
