The beloved novel All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr is set to make its debut on Netflix, thanks to the efforts of Shawn Levy, the producer behind Stranger Things.
This Netflix original TV series promises to bring the Pulitzer-winning World War II story to life and boasts a star-studded cast featuring Mark Ruffalo and Hugh Laurie. The series is poised to deliver an emotional journey, mirroring the novel, and fans are eagerly awaiting to see how Levy and Knight have adapted the bestselling book for the screen. Here’s all you need to know about All the Light We Cannot See TV series.
When and Where to Watch All the Light We Cannot See?
The highly-anticipated limited series will start streaming from November 2, 2023 on Netflix. The show will have a total of four hour-long episodes.
Check Out All the Light We Cannot See Trailer
The official trailer for the series was released on April 18. It offered fans a glimpse into the challenges faced by the story’s central characters, Werner and Marie-Laure, during WWII. Accompanied by the haunting music of Debussy, the trailer depicts Marie-Laure’s attempts to communicate with her father via radio signals, only to discover that the person intercepting her encoded messages is a young Nazi recruit.
What’s All the Light We Cannot See About?
Set against the backdrop of World War II, the series delves into the gripping narrative of Marie-Laure, a blind French girl, and her father, Daniel LeBlanc. They embark on a daring journey to escape the clutches of German-occupied Paris, carrying a legendary diamond believed to grant eternal life. Their mission is to safeguard it from falling into Nazi hands.
Taking refuge in Saint-Malo, France, they find solace with her reclusive Uncle Etienne, who is engaged in transmitting clandestine radio broadcasts as part of the French Resistance. Yet, their pursuit is relentless as they are hunted by Reinhold von Rumpel, a terminally ill Nazi officer who covets the diamond.
Marie-Laure’s path crosses with Werner Pfennig, a German teenager enlisted by Hitler’s regime to track down illegal broadcasts. As their lives intersect, they share a secret connection and a faith in humanity that transcends the boundaries of war.
Meet All the Light We Cannot See Cast
All the Light We Cannot See TV series cast includes Aria Mia Loberti, a first-time actress and Penn State PhD student, in the role of Marie-Laure. Loberti was selected after a global casting call for low-vision actresses, aiming for an authentic portrayal of the character’s blindness, which begins at the age of 6.
Louis Hoffman, known for his work on Dark, plays Werner, a brilliant teenager recruited by the German army for his expertise in radio technology.
Mark Ruffalo portrays Marie-Laure’s father, Daniel LeBlanc, a locksmith at the Museum of Natural History in Paris, while Hugh Laurie takes on the role of Etienne LeBlanc, Marie-Laure’s uncle and a WWI hero struggling with PTSD.
Lars Eidinger plays Sergeant Major Reinhold von Rumpel, a ruthless and terminally-ill Nazi officer on the hunt for a legendary diamond.
Behind the Scenes of All the Light We Cannot See
Shawn Levy, directs the Netflix series based on Anthony Doerr’s novel. Originally conceived as a feature film, Levy suggested turning it into a limited series, and 21 Laps Entertainment helped bring the idea to life. Executive producer Dan Levine, known for his collaboration with Levy on Free Guy, is also on board. Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders wrote the script.
James Newton Howard, a nine-time Academy Award nominee, composed the musical score. Cinematography is in the hands of Tobias A. Schliessler, who previously worked with Levy on The Adam Project, and Dean Zimmerman serves as the editor, ensuring a cinematic quality to the series.
Where is All the Light We Cannot See filmed?
The adaptation is filmed in Budapest, Villefranche-de-Rouergue, and Saint-Malo from March to July 2022. Notably, Ukrainian refugees are in the cast as extras in scenes depicting the exodus of refugees out of Paris during the German invasion. This real-life connection added depth and emotion to the series, mirroring the hardships faced by those forced to flee their homes.
Is the Series Worth Watching?
In this four-episode show, we bounce back and forth between their current troubles and their intertwined pasts. If you’re a die-hard book buff, you might consider giving it a little wink and a skip. The plot takes a slightly different twist, and it might not tick all your adaptation boxes. But, if you haven’t flipped through the pages or don’t have adaptation anxiety, it’s a delightful Sunday afternoon binge. Ideal for those slightly hungover days when you yearn for a period drama atmosphere that will definitely bring a tear or two to your eyes by the fourth episode.
Ending Notes
If you are captivated by the tale of a blind girl’s quest to reconnect with her father via radio signals, while striking up an improbable friendship with a young Nazi recruit skilled in radio technology, then you absolutely must tune in to the All the Light You Cannot See TV series.
