Splinter Cell: Deathwatch Trailer Reveals Sam Fisher’s New Enemy

Sam Fisher’s legacy and the weight of past decisions

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell series has always been built on tension: the tension between loyalty and duty, between personal relationships and national security. Ubisoft and Netflix’s upcoming animated series Splinter Cell: Deathwatch continues that tradition. In the latest trailer released on September 16 2025, long‑time series protagonist Sam Fisher emerges from retirement to face an adversary who knows him better than anyone – because her father died by his hand. The trailer opens with a quiet shot of a gravestone for Douglas Shetland, Sam’s friend‑turned‑enemy from Pandora Tomorrow and Chaos Theory. For long‑time fans, the headstone is a gut punch; Shetland was once one of Sam’s closest allies before turning against his country. The trailer briefly revisits their final confrontation, reminding viewers that Sam killed Douglas to prevent further treason. This decision now haunts the retired operative because Douglas’ daughter, Diana Shetland, has resurfaced as CEO of the shadowy corporation Xanadu and is orchestrating a new crisis. By framing the new villain as a child seeking justice, the show immediately raises the stakes; Sam isn’t battling a faceless terrorist but someone with a deeply personal vendetta.

A world changed by hybrid warfare and corporate influence

Deathwatch is not just about old grudges. According to Ubisoft associate producer Carl Tamakloe, the series explores how the world has evolved since the first game in 2002. Tamakloe told Variety that technology and fake news have turned “old strategies into hybrid warfare” and corporate interests now exert influence over conflicts. The writers wanted to move the story away from a purely U.S.‑centric narrative and instead create a European‑centric road‑trip thriller. This means Sam’s mission will take him across Poland, Denmark and other European locales as he grapples with energy crises, cyber attacks and disinformation – threats that feel frighteningly current. The creative team has described the show as an adult dark thriller that immerses viewers in familiar settings while exploring the gray areas of modern espionage. Unlike the games where missions often ended neatly, Deathwatch seems poised to tackle messy geopolitical realities where corporations and intelligence agencies blur together.

The new series also raises questions about canon. As John Wick co‑creator Derek Kolstad (the head writer and producer of Deathwatch) explained, he had to “rip the spine out of the source material” while keeping the brain and heart intact. Kolstad and Ubisoft have hinted that the show is canon to the games. Set in 2025, Sam has left the command of Echelon 4 and become a solitary farmer in Poland before being drawn back into service by a young operative named Zinnia McKenna. While Sam’s return to action will reference events from Chaos Theory, Kolstad has suggested there may be small changes to preserve the core themes while adapting the story to a new medium. Fans shouldn’t expect a scene‑for‑scene retelling but rather a reinterpretation that honors the series’ moral ambiguity and tactical suspense.

Voice cast and creative talent

One of the biggest headlines from the trailer is that Oscar‑nominated actor Liev Schreiber voices Sam Fisher. Long‑time fans will remember that Michael Ironside defined Sam’s gravelly voice in most of the games, while Eric Johnson took over in 2013’s Blacklist. Schreiber brings his own gravitas to the role, adding the weight of age and regret. The show also introduces Kirby Howell‑Baptiste as Zinnia McKenna, the wounded young operative who drags Sam back into the field; Janet Varney returns as Anna “Grim” Grímsdóttir; and Joel Oulette voices a character called Thunder. With John Wick veteran Derek Kolstad heading the writing team and animation by Sun Creature Studio and Fost, there’s reason to expect high‑quality action and character‑driven storytelling.

Sam Fisher vs. the next generation

Diana Shetland’s emergence as CEO of Xanadu positions her as both a corporate power and a symbol of the next generation. She blames Sam for her father’s death, but she also represents the type of tech‑savvy antagonist that the modern world produces. In a world where energy shortages, disinformation and privatized militaries drive conflict, it’s plausible that a billionaire heiress would wield as much power as a nation‑state. The trailer hints that Diana is pulling strings behind a crisis that forces Sam out of retirement, but it also suggests she may hold her father’s ideology of national betrayal. Whether she seeks revenge, ideological upheaval or both remains to be seen.

This generational clash is mirrored on the hero’s side. Zinnia McKenna is described as a wounded operative who seeks Sam’s help and presumably learns from the legend while challenging his old methods. The dynamic between an aging spook and a younger operative plays into contemporary themes about mentorship and the relevancy of old tactics. Sam’s willingness to confront his past mistakes will likely determine whether he can guide the new generation and prevent them from making similar errors.

Why fans should be excited

While fans have waited more than a decade for a new Splinter Cell game, Deathwatch offers a promising extension of the franchise. The animation medium allows for stylized stealth sequences, dynamic camera work and globetrotting locations that might be cost‑prohibitive in live action. The show also seems keen to honor the franchise’s signature elements: fluid stealth, high‑tech gadgets and moral choices. And by centering the conflict on a character with personal ties to Sam’s past, Deathwatch ensures that the stakes are emotional as well as geopolitical.

Release details and where to watch

According to GameSpot, Netflix will debut Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Deathwatch on October 14 2025. All eight episodes will be available to stream, making it perfect for a weekend binge. Ubisoft has not provided many updates on the long‑awaited Splinter Cell remake, so this animated series may be the only new adventure fans get for some time. Whether Deathwatch becomes canon or serves as a standalone story, it will expand the universe and hopefully introduce new audiences to Sam Fisher’s world. For those who want to stay informed, check out the full trailer and news coverage on sites like GameSpot and Bounding Into Comics.

Images

Below are two royalty‑free images to complement the article. The first depicts a shadowy operative with glowing goggles to evoke Sam Fisher’s iconic night‑vision look. The second features a digital green matrix pattern that symbolizes the cyber‑espionage themes of the series.