Netflix's Twilight series finally drops major casting news after two years

If you had money on Netflix actually finishing their animated Twilight series before the next generation aged out of their vampire phase, well, you might not lose your shirt just yet. At long last, we’ve got a proper update, and it’s not just wishful thinking—casting calls are finally out in the wild almost two years after the show’s original announcement.

Animated Twilight: Not Quite Dead—Here’s Where We Are

To back up: in 2024, Netflix said they’d commissioned an animated adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s Midnight Sun. That’s the one where we get Edward Cullen’s side of the story from the first novel—more longing, more angst, and fewer actual beach holidays than the characters deserve. For almost two years, it was absolute radio silence. Now we finally know: at least two major roles are up for grabs, and things are properly moving forward.

Could This Cast Be Any More Specific?

So, here’s what they’re after: the voice of Jacob Black, Bella’s mate (and sometimes wolf) by way of the Quileute tribe, and his father Billy Black—both recurring characters from the original saga. It’s actually a bit of a relief to see the casting folks are going for accuracy here:

• Jacob Black: The brief asks for a Native American man to play a teenager (but they want proper adults for the job). They want someone 'youthful, inviting, and cheerful' with a 'happy-go-lucky' feel and a bit of huskiness in the voice—not a squeaky-voiced schoolboy, then.
• Billy Black: Again, male, Native American, but for a character who’s late 40s to 50s. He needs to sound like the sort of bloke you’d trust for solid advice: 'kindness and wisdom' apparently are key.

Now, here’s one interesting detail: no previous experience in voice acting is necessary at all. Instead, the casting folks (Melissa Kostenbauder leading, with Jake Warnecke as her associate) want actors with on-camera backgrounds—so if you’ve only done voice work, you aren’t getting a free pass here.

Shooting (Well, Recording) Timetable

The recordings are pegged to happen in Los Angeles, running from August 2026 right through to May 2027. If you’d assumed this thing was going to sneak out quickly, think again—they’re taking their time.

Who’s Actually Involved?

As for the creative team, Stephenie Meyer is attached as executive producer (of course), joined by half the crowd you’d expect from Lionsgate’s previous involvement—Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Erik Feig, Meghan Hibbett, and Emily Wissink round out the top brass. Netflix and Lionsgate have gone in together on this, which is about as establishment as anything with shiny vampires can get.

Don’t Expect Early Spoilers

There’s still no real talk of a release date. The script is locked down, and nobody’s leaking even a morsel about specific storylines—just that yes, it’s Midnight Sun through and through. If you’re a betting sort, the smart money (according to What’s on Netflix) is on either late 2027 or somewhere in 2028 for a premiere—assuming nobody gets cold feet about the whole vampire-werewolf business again.