Everything we know about Joshua Zetumer’s new Netflix series ‘Pagans’
Family stories often make the best dramas, but Joshua Zetumer’s new Netflix series isn’t interested in hugs and life lessons. He is bringing Pagans to Netflix, which asks a much darker question: what if the relationship between a father and his daughter turned sinister?
The project has already sparked curiosity, not just because of its chilling premise, but because Netflix reportedly won it in a heated bidding war. When a streamer fights this hard for a script, it usually means they know they have got something special.
The story begins with a father left raising his two children after the death of his wife. His son gets along without much trouble, but his daughter Alice stands out. And not in the heartwarming way audiences might expect. What starts as a strained bond soon twists into something sinister.
Netflix has described the show as emotional, horrifying, and even darkly humorous. It is not horror for the sake of scares, though. It’s a genre story designed to dive into the kind of unspeakable thoughts parents sometimes have but never admit out loud.
Zetumer isn’t new to ambitious storytelling. His previous project, Say Nothing, was set against the Troubles in Northern Ireland and earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing in 2025. Before that, he worked on big-screen titles like 2014’s RoboCop and 2016’s Patriot Day. With Pagans, he shifts his focus to intimate family horror as he blends character-driven drama with genre elements.
Who is in the cast?
As of now, Netflix hasn’t confirmed any casting. The Tudum announcement was clear that details would come later. However, rumoured names like Rhenzy Feliz, Jessica Belkin, and Emma Pearson have been floating in industry chatter. Until the streamer makes it official, fans should take those whispers with caution.
When will it arrive on Netflix?
Details about production timelines are still under wraps, but the bidding-war victory and Zetumer’s track record suggest Netflix will move quickly to get Pagans into development. No release window has been announced, so at this stage, 2026 or later feels most realistic.
What’s especially fascinating about Pagans is its blend of tones. There is a different kind of horror that collides with family drama, which can feel the most unsettling because it takes place in a space we expect to be safe. The idea of a father questioning his bond with his daughter is a fear we never expect to face. And the terrifying possibility is that evil might live inside the people closest to us.
Right now, the mystery is as much about the show as it is about its story. Who will play Alice? How far will the “sinister” element go? Will it be supernatural, psychological, or something in between? And will Zetumer bring the same sharp writing that made Say Nothing such a standout? Netflix clearly believes the answers will be worth waiting for.
Until casting and release dates are revealed, Pagans remains a project to watch. It’s rare for a series to arrive with this much intrigue before a single frame is shot. But when the premise is this like this, and the streamer is this committed, it’s hard not to be curious.