'All the Light We Cannot See': Latest Updates on Release Date, Trailer, Cast, and More
Netflix's highly anticipated adaptation of the award-winning novel, 'All the Light We Cannot See', is set to captivate viewers with its talented cast, intriguing plot, and the creative minds of Shawn Levy and Steven Knight at the helm Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of untapped brilliance
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, which has sold more than 15 million copies worldwide, is set to be adapted into a limited series. The project will be led by Stranger Things producer Shawn Levy and will be a Netflix Original. The highly acclaimed WWII novel, which won a Pulitzer Prize, is scheduled to be released this year and will feature renowned Hollywood actors including Mark Ruffalo (known for his role in Avengers: Endgame) and Hugh Laurie (famous for his role in House). If you were captivated by the story of a blind girl's quest to find her father using radio signals, while forming an unlikely friendship with a young Nazi recruit who has radio technology expertise, here is everything you need to know about this exciting limited series.
(Note: This article was last updated on November 3rd.)
Image via Netflix "All The Light We Cannot See" is a captivating tale set during World War II that revolves around the interconnected lives of Marie-Laure, a courageous blind teenager from France, and Werner, a German soldier. Their fates intertwine as they navigate the treacherous landscape of occupied France, each driven by their determination to endure the hardships and destruction brought upon by the war.
Release Date: November 2, 2023
Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Hugh Laurie, Aria Mia Loberti, Louis Hofmann, Lars Eidinger
Main Genre: History
Genres: Drama, War, History
Seasons: 1
Creator: Steven Knight, Shawn Levy
When Is 'All the Light We Cannot See' Coming Out?
Image via Netflix
Premiering on November 2, 2023, All the Light We Cannot See consists of four hour-long episodes, arriving nearly a decade after the release of the highly acclaimed novel.
Where Will You Be Able to Watch 'All the Light We Cannot See'?
Since it's a Netflix original, the only way you'll be able to watch All the Light We Cannot See is on Netflix.
Watch the 'All the Light We Cannot See' Trailers
The official trailer for All the Light We Cannot See was released on April 18, providing fans of the book with an initial glimpse into the challenges faced by Werner and Marie-Laure in their daily lives during WWII. With no dialogue and a captivating Debussy soundtrack, the trailer showcases Marie-Laure's attempts to communicate with her father through radio signals. However, unbeknownst to her, the recipient of her encoded messages is a Nazi recruit. Despite being on opposing sides of the war, both characters share a glimmer of hope for humanity. The trailer also features flashbacks of Marie-Laure's childhood, capturing her emotional connection with her father. These scenes set the poignant tone of the profound loneliness experienced by the protagonist and her father as they are forcibly separated during the war. As she eagerly awaits the opportunity to reunite with her father, Marie-Laure must also take care of herself and her uncle, who continues to grapple with post-traumatic stress disorder from WWI.
Netflix unveiled an exclusive teaser for All the Light We Cannot See during their TUDUM global fan event in Brazil, providing additional insight into the profound bond shared by our main characters.
On September 7, we got a behind-the-scenes sneak peek video for All the Light We Cannot See, featuring members of the cast and crew.
The full trailer for All the Light We Cannot See was released by Netflix on October 3, 2023.
Watch the featurettes below on Netflix's Behind the Streams YouTube channels, where they delve into the casting of Aria Mia Loberti and the process of adapting the popular novel.
Who's In the 'All the Light We Cannot See' Cast?
The limited series features Aria Mia Loberti, a PhD student at Penn State, who will be making her acting debut as Marie-Laure in the adaptation. Loberti was selected for the role after Levy conducted a global casting call specifically for low-vision actresses. As the character in the series loses her eyesight at age 6, the director aimed to authentically cast a blind actor for the part. After reviewing numerous audition tapes, Levy found the perfect fit for the lead role. In an interview with Our website, he shared the story of how Loberti ended up being chosen for the lead role:
Various individuals, including sighted actors, unsighted actors, low vision individuals, and even non-actors, were welcomed to submit auditions. One particular audition stood out, sent by a non-actor named Aria. Aria, a Fulbright scholar and a PhD student in Rhetoric, had never acted before, making this her first-ever audition. From the very beginning, I sensed there was something remarkable about her, and as the audition process progressed through Zoom sessions and subsequent callbacks, my initial intuition was validated.
Dark alum Louis Hoffman stars as Werner, a brilliant teenager enlisted by the German army to utilize radio technology in order to locate illicit broadcasts. Mark Ruffalo is set to portray Daniel LeBlanc, Marie-Laure's father and a locksmith at the Museum of Natural History in Paris. Hugh Laurie takes on the role of Etienne LeBlanc, Marie-Laure's uncle and a WWI hero grappling with PTSD. Another crucial cast member in this adaptation is Lars Eidinger (Clouds of Sils Maria), who plays Sergeant Major Reinhold von Rumpel, a merciless and terminally-ill Nazi officer in pursuit of a fabled diamond that grants eternal life. Additional notable cast members include Nell Sutton as young Marie-Laure, Lucas Herzog as young Werner, Marion Bailey (The Crown) as Madame Manec, Luna Wedler as Jutta Pfennig, Ed Skrein (Deadpool) as Herr Siedler, Corin Silva (Rogue Heroes) as Frank Volkheimer, Milo Quinton (Masters of the Air) as Frederick, Felix Kammerer (All Quiet on the Western Front) as Schmidt, Andrea Deck (Homeland) as Sandrina, Richard Sammel (Inglourious Basterds) as Dr. Hauptman, Rosie Hilal as Frau Elena, and Bernd Hölscher as Bastian.
What Is the Plot of 'All the Light We Cannot See'?
Image via Netflix
Here is the official synopsis of the adaptation, provided by Netflix:
In an interview with Our website, Levy discussed how the series explores the horrors committed by the Nazis.
"This is not merely an apologistic piece of work. Obviously, the book does not revolve around the Holocaust, but rather, it tells a story set in World War II. The appalling atrocities committed by the Germans during that time are horrific, and the idea of a resurgence of that ideology is truly repugnant. Therefore, our show is earnestly dedicated to depicting the sheer grotesqueness of such a mindset. However, it also focuses specifically on the experiences of a singular character, a young girl, and a young boy, and the way their lives intertwine."
Who's Making 'All the Light We Cannot See'?
Image via Netflix
As mentioned earlier, Shawn Levy, known for directing franchises like Night at the Museum and Free Guy, was drawn to Anthony Doerr's novel All the Light We Cannot See. Despite the book being already signed off for a feature film, Levy eagerly took on the project when its production got delayed. He proposed turning it into a limited series instead. With the support of his production team at 21 Laps Entertainment, the series became a reality. This marks Levy's first venture into the epic genre, which he had been eager to explore, as he revealed in an interview with Vanity Fair.
"I have created numerous films in the past, but never before have I undertaken a project of such grand cinematic scale and historical setting that also centers around deep-rooted characters. This is a genre and tone that I have always been drawn to and believed I had something to contribute to. Frankly, the wait of multiple years to bring this vision to life has been completely worthwhile."
Dan Levine, who previously collaborated with me on Free Guy, serves as the executive producer of the series. The script is crafted by the talented Steven Knight, known for his work on Peaky Blinders, as well as other acclaimed shows such as Apple TV+'s See, Hulu's adaptation of Great Expectations, and BBC's Rogue Heroes. Accomplished composer James Newton Howard, who has been nominated for nine Academy Awards, including his notable work on News of the World, is responsible for the captivating musical score. Tobias A. Schliessler, who previously collaborated with me on The Adam Project, showcases his expertise as the cinematographer. Additionally, Dean Zimmerman, my longstanding editor since Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, brings his skills to shape the series. To ensure the utmost cinematic experience, I have carefully assembled this esteemed creative team for the project."
"I chose to shoot all the episodes in order to transform this into a four-hour film. Notably, my creative team consisted of James Newton Howard, Tobias Schliessler, Dean Zimmerman as editor, and the assistant director and line producer who have collaborated with me on my past 10 movies. Consequently, this limited series adopts a feature film approach, resulting in visuals and emotional grandeur that exude a distinctly cinematic quality, surpassing the typical realm of television series."
When and Where Did 'All the Light We Cannot See' Film?
Image via Netflix
Filmed between March and July 2022, the screen adaptation took place in Budapest, Villefranche-de-Rouergue, and Saint-Malo. Notably, Levy chose to cast Ukranian refugees as extras considering the proximity of the filming location to the Ukrainian border. Levy spoke about the profound emotional experience in an interview with Our website.
"We are currently in a neighboring country of Ukraine, capturing the exodus of refugees from Paris as a result of the German invasion. Interestingly, among the extras portraying the refugees heading west, we had Ukrainian refugees who had already fled to Hungary, the very location where we were filming. This striking parallel to actual events was truly emotional and left us speechless during those days."
Editor's P/S
As a passionate fan of the novel "All the Light We Cannot See," I am thrilled about the upcoming Netflix adaptation. The story of Marie-Laure, a blind French girl, and Werner, a German soldier, is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, and I cannot wait to see it brought to life on screen.
The cast is superb, with Mark Ruffalo and Hugh Laurie leading the way. I am especially excited to see Aria Mia Loberti, a PhD student at Penn State, make her acting debut as Marie-Laure. Her casting is a testament to the director's commitment to authenticity and inclusion.
The trailer is stunning, and it perfectly captures the tone of the novel. The Debussy soundtrack is haunting and beautiful, and it sets the perfect mood for the story. The visuals are breathtaking, and they transport viewers to war-torn France.
I cannot wait to see "All the Light We Cannot See" when it premieres on Netflix on November 2nd. I know it will be a hit with fans of the novel and newcomers alike.
