Todd Howard Won’t Shut Down the Idea of an Elder Scrolls TV Series—But He’s Not Rushing It Either

Todd Howard isn’t ruling out an Elder Scrolls TV series or movie, but fans eager for a Skyrim adaptation shouldn’t hold their breath. While Bethesda’s Fallout universe is gearing up for a blockbuster second season on Amazon Prime, the studio head admits there’s still no definitive word on bringing Tamriel to the screen.

During a recent catch-up with Bethesda’s Todd Howard, our own Mat Jones couldn’t resist prodding for answers about the much-rumoured Wolfenstein TV adaptation and whether a similar treatment could be in store for Elder Scrolls. On Wolfenstein, Howard remained coy, saying it’s “not [his] place” to dish details, deferring all updates to developer MachineGames instead. So, no big reveals there.

Howard Says ‘Never Say Never’—But Don’t Expect Elder Scrolls News Anytime Soon

But it’s the Elder Scrolls question that really fired up the conversation. After all, thanks to the wild success of Fallout’s series and Skyrim’s legendary following, you’d think a Tamriel adaptation would be a no-brainer. Howard’s response? Not exactly a yes, but there’s definitely room for hope.

“I will say this, the Fallout journey was like a 10-year one,” Howard told Mat. He recalled how, after Fallout 3, people immediately pushed for a TV show or film. Bethesda didn’t bite right away—they took their time. They waited a decade before greenlighting the Fallout adaptation you see now.

On the Elder Scrolls front, he was careful with his words. “Can’t rule in or rule out an Elder Scrolls thing in the future,” Howard admitted. He went on to say that, right now, Fallout has been “more uniquely suited” for adaptation and “had more to say in its genre.” But nobody should mistake that for a definite no. Howard left the door open, explaining, “The impact of the show on Fallout as a franchise has been bigger than I expected, so it does make you think like ‘hey, is there a path?’ But, nothing today… [and] I’m willing to say ‘no’ for a decade.” Not exactly a promise, but not a shutdown either.

Fallout’s Success Has Bethesda Thinking – But the Wait Could Be Long

Fallout’s first season has turbocharged the franchise’s cultural status, and Howard seems genuinely surprised by just how much it’s reignited interest in the games. The experience clearly has Bethesda taking notes. Is TV the new best way to expand their worlds? For Elder Scrolls fans, this answer is both exciting and frustrating: there’s hope, but it’ll require patience on a Skyrim level.

Meanwhile, the Fallout hype train rolls on. Season two drops on Amazon Prime on December 17 and brings back the original cast, including Ella Purnell and Walton Goggins. Two big names join the list this time: Macaulay Culkin and Kumail Nanjiani are set for new roles, adding even more star power to the post-apocalyptic playground.

Elsewhere in the chat, Howard touched on the use of AI in video games and shared his pick for game of the year, a side note for those who hang on every word. But for anyone waiting on Elder Scrolls to get the Fallout treatment, the main message is clear: be patient, because even after a decade, “You never know.”