The acclaimed game Life is Strange is getting a live-action series on Amazon Prime Video. Here’s everything we know so far about the story, cast rumors, release window and more.
Square Enix’s successful Life is Strange franchise is being adapted into a live-action series. After years of rumors and false starts, Amazon Prime Video officially gave the green light in September 2025. The series will follow the story of the original 2015 game and is being produced for a global audience. Below you’ll find all the details currently available on release, plot, characters, production, and the companies involved.
Release Window
Amazon Prime Video officially announced the series on September 5, 2025. Production is expected to start in late 2025 or 2026, which means a release is unlikely before 2026, more realistically 2027. The show will stream exclusively on Prime Video in over 240 territories worldwide. An exact premiere date and episode count have not yet been confirmed.
Story
The series will retell the events of the first game. At the center is Max Caulfield, a photography student who discovers she has the power to rewind time. With this ability, she saves the life of her childhood best friend, Chloe Price.
Together, the two begin to investigate the disappearance of fellow student Rachel Amber. Their search uncovers the dark secrets of the seemingly quiet town of Arcadia Bay. While Max struggles to understand her powers, both friends are forced to make difficult choices that will change their lives forever.
- Note: Unlike the game, where player choices shaped the story, the series will follow a fixed narrative.
Characters
These are the key characters expected to appear in the series:
- Max Caulfield: Photography student who discovers she can rewind time
- Chloe Price: Max’s rebellious and headstrong friend
- Rachel Amber: Missing student at the center of the mystery
- Arcadia Bay: The small town hiding dark secrets beneath its surface
Casting
Amazon has not announced the official cast yet, but fan speculation is already running wild. The most popular choice for Max is Emma Myers (known from Wednesday), who has said herself that playing the role would be a dream come true.
Other names mentioned for Max include Sophia Lillis and Cailee Spaeny. For Chloe, fans have suggested Ruby Cruz and Sophie Thatcher. At this stage, however, nothing is officially confirmed.
Production
According to IGN, the showrunner is Charlie Covell, known for The End of the F***ing World and KAOS. She will also serve as executive producer.
The series is produced by:
- Amazon MGM Studios
- Square Enix as IP holder
- Story Kitchen, experienced in game adaptations (Sonic the Hedgehog)
- LuckyChap Entertainment, Margot Robbie’s production company
Executive producers from Story Kitchen include Dmitri M. Johnson, Mike Goldberg and Timothy I. Stevenson.
- Note: LuckyChap Entertainment previously produced movies like Barbie and Saltburn.
Involvement of the Original Developers
One of the main criticisms so far is that the original developers at Dontnod Entertainment are not involved. Neither lead writer Christian Divine nor other creatives from the original team have been attached. Divine himself confirmed publicly that the series is being made without the creators’ participation. This has sparked debate among fans, especially since other adaptations, like Fallout, benefitted greatly from input by the original developers.
The Franchise So Far
Here’s a quick look at the games released so far:
- Life is Strange (2015) – the original story of Max and Chloe
- Before the Storm (2017) – a prequel focusing on Chloe and Rachel
- Life is Strange 2 (2018) – centered on two brothers
- True Colors (2021) – introduced Alex Chen
- Double Exposure (2024) – brought Max Caulfield back
As of 2023, more than 20 million players worldwide have experienced the Life is Strange games, showing just how big the fanbase is that Amazon is hoping to reach.
Outlook
The Life is Strange series on Amazon Prime Video aims to be a modern adaptation of the beloved franchise, blending mystery, drama, and coming-of-age themes. With Charlie Covell as showrunner and major production partners behind it, the project has solid potential. Whether the lack of involvement from Dontnod will prove to be a drawback remains to be seen.
What’s clear is that the show has the potential to appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers. Other game adaptations on Prime Video have already seen huge success – for instance, Fallout even caused a temporary crash on Nexus Mods.
Will you be watching the series, or do you prefer to experience the story through the games, where your choices matter? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Source: MGM Studios
