Jeff Hays, the celebrated narrator of the Dungeon Crawler Carl audiobooks, has been officially cast as Princess Donut in the upcoming live-action television adaptation. The announcement comes as the popular LitRPG series continues its expansion into a major franchise.
Matt Dinniman, the author of Dungeon Crawler Carl, expressed his enthusiasm for Hays' casting during an interview with IGN at San Diego Comic-Con. "I think Fuzzy Door would have a riot on their hands if they hadn't cast Jeff in something," Dinniman stated. "He's so associated with that sound and that voice. Anybody else would be jarring."
Hays himself shared his excitement, noting his desire to contribute positively to the show. "I'm excited that I'm going to have a part in helping the TV show be just a little bit better," Hays said. "I was like, 'Look, just give me that one and you know, do what you want with the rest.'"
Dinniman has previously spoken about the profound impact Hays' narration has had on his writing process. "I can't not hear his voice in my head whenever I write," Dinniman remarked. "He does such a good job encapsulating the characters that I don't need to change anything in order to match the voice."
The Dungeon Crawler Carl series, which began as a LitRPG series, has seen significant growth, largely attributed to its compelling narrative and the exceptional performances in its audiobook adaptations. While Princess Donut's voice is a standout element, Hays has voiced numerous characters throughout the series, creating distinct interpretations that many listeners now associate with his performance.
The television adaptation is set to be a live-action series on Peacock. While an official release date has not yet been announced, production is in its early stages. The eighth book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series was released earlier this year, providing ample opportunity for new and existing fans to catch up before the show premieres.