A faded seaside town, con men, murderous mothers, and a cast stacked with award-winning talent — Netflix’s new Roald Dahl adaptation is shaping up to be one of the streamer’s most intriguing dark comedy projects yet.
New behind-the-scenes photos have surfaced from the set of Netflix’s upcoming series, currently filming under the working title Zoltar, giving fans their clearest look yet at the production in action. Based on Roald Dahl’s darker short stories for adult readers, the show draws obvious inspiration from the classic anthology series Tales of the Unexpected — but with a distinctly modern, twisted spin.
Table of Contents
Zoltar: Roald Dahl Key Production Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Working Title | Zoltar |
| Based On | Roald Dahl’s adult short stories |
| Lead Cast | Nicola Coughlan, Naomi Scott, Carmen Ejogo, Toby Jones, Michael Socha |
| Additional Cast | Dominic West, Imelda Staunton, Clarke Peters, Josh Finan, Christine Tremarco |
| Episode Count | 6 episodes (60 minutes each) |
| Filming Started | Mid-August 2026 |
| Filming Location | Manchester and North of England (including Saltburn) |
| Expected Wrap Date | Mid-December 2026 |
| Estimated Release | Mid-to-late 2027 |
What the New Photos Reveal
The behind-the-scenes shots come from filming in Saltburn, a seaside town standing in for the show’s fictional “faded seaside town” setting. Naomi Scott was spotted mid-action sequence, sprinting past a local café in a striking green-and-orange jacket, while nearby shots showed the scale of the production with lighting rigs and crew tents taking over the town.
Elsewhere, Nicola Coughlan was seen between takes sporting a prosthetic baby bump in character, standing alongside Toby Jones, who appeared to be enjoying a casual banana break. Michael Socha was also caught chatting on set outside a flower-decorated café. Additional images reveal Carmen Ejogo on location as well, suggesting she plays a substantial role in the season.
What Story Is Being Adapted?
Based on previous reporting, the series is expected to adapt Dahl’s short story Lamb to the Slaughter, with Coughlan reportedly playing the central role of Mary Malony. Interestingly, the behind-the-scenes footage suggests the same ensemble cast may appear across the entire season — hinting that while future seasons could adapt separate Dahl stories in true anthology fashion, Season 1 will likely follow one continuous storyline.
The Official Premise
Netflix describes the series with a suitably dark and playful logline: a young couple stranded in a faded seaside town must navigate con men, adulterers, murderous mothers, and snake charmers as they try to escape before their fate catches up with them.
Behind the Camera
The project comes from Orchid Pictures, with Suzanne Mackie (The Crown) and Gabriel Silver executive producing alongside writer Danny Brocklehurst (Fool Me Once, Run Away). Directors Ben Gregor and Runyararo Mapfumo are helming episodes, with Frank Lamm serving as Director of Photography.
When Can We Expect to See It?
With filming set to wrap in mid-December 2026, don’t expect this one to land on Netflix until at least mid-to-late 2027 — giving the streamer plenty of time to build anticipation around its genuinely stacked ensemble cast.
For more Netflix production updates and upcoming series trackers, keep following TechnoSports.
FAQs
Q1. When will Netflix’s new Roald Dahl series release?
With filming wrapping in December 2026, the show likely won’t premiere until mid-to-late 2027.
Q2. Which Roald Dahl story is the series adapting?
It’s expected to adapt “Lamb to the Slaughter,” with Nicola Coughlan reportedly playing Mary Malony.
