Fallout Series Returns: New Vegas Awaits, But No Canon Ending
Fallout’s second season heads to New Vegas, promising a fresh start while respecting every player’s unique journey. The showrunners are determined to honour the spirit of the games without choosing a single ending.
When Bethesda set out to adapt its much-loved post-apocalyptic franchise for television, the team was determined to find the right creative minds for the job. Emil Pagliarulo, a senior developer at Bethesda, recalled that the studio was not interested in simply hiring directors known for video game adaptations.
“Hollywood, at the time, they wanted to throw the 'video game directors' at us,”
he explained.
“We don't want the guy who makes video game movies. We want the best director, the best showrunner possible. And it wasn't until Jonathan Nolan and his company had their pitch. This is the guy who wrote the Batman movies. This is the guy who made Westworld. This is the guy we want. A lot of it was waiting to find the right partner, and not just doing it because you could.”
Interest in bringing Fallout to life on screen dates back as far as 2008. However, Bethesda’s then-marketing director, Phil Hines, remained unconvinced, pointing to the 2005 Doom film as a cautionary tale. The same year also saw the release of a live-action Alone in the Dark, which did little to inspire confidence in the genre.
Prime Video’s Fallout: A New Chapter
It wasn’t until 2020 that Prime Video announced its plans for a Fallout series. Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, the creative duo behind Westworld, approached Bethesda with their vision. The result was a series that, upon its 2024 debut, quickly broke streaming records and earned three Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Drama and a nod for Walton Goggins’ performance as Cooper Howard, also known as the Ghoul.
The much-anticipated second season is set to arrive on Prime Video on 17 December. This time, the story shifts to New Vegas, a location beloved by fans of the games.
Balancing Fresh Stories and Player Memories
Todd Howard, the figurehead of the Fallout franchise, has spoken about the delicate balance the new season must strike. He described the approach as a blend of “starting fresh” in New Vegas while still paying tribute to the journeys players have taken in the games. Howard praised the production team’s efforts, saying,
“Their ability to pull it off on the scale, so much of it practical, it was incredible.”
In a gesture of respect, Howard even invited the original Fallout: New Vegas developers from Obsidian to visit the set, allowing them to revisit the iconic setting in a new light.
No Single Ending: Honouring Every Player’s Story
One of the most significant creative decisions for the new series is to avoid declaring any particular New Vegas ending as canon. The producers have made it clear that they do not wish to undermine anyone’s personal experience with the games.
“We didn't want to contradict anyone's experiences playing the games,”
they stated, ensuring that every player’s journey remains valid in the world of the show.
While some familiar creatures, characters, locations, and factions from the games have yet to make their appearance, the producers have hinted that these elements will be introduced in due course. For now, the series is content to take its time, building anticipation for what’s to come.