Maya Hawke and Nell Fisher Team Up for Netflix’s ‘The God of the Woods’

Maya Hawke and Nell Fisher, both alumni of Netflix’s flagship series ‘Stranger Things’, have been cast in the streamer’s upcoming limited series ‘The God of the Woods’. The adaptation of Liz Moore’s 2024 mystery novel will debut on Netflix later this year, pairing Hawke as lead investigator Judy Luptack with Fisher as the missing teen Barbara Van Laar.

Liz Moore’s 2024 bestseller becomes a Netflix limited series

According to the Netflix announcement, the novel ‘The God of the Woods’ spent months atop bestseller lists and was praised for its blend of suspense, family drama, and social commentary. The series will translate that multi‑generational crime drama to the screen, focusing on the disappearance of 13‑year‑old Barbara Van Laar at a summer camp in the Adirondacks .

Maya Hawke lands first lead role as Judy Luptack

As reported by the streaming service, Hawke will portray Judy Luptack, the first female investigator in the traditionally male Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The character is tasked with untangling the Van Laar family’s long‑standing influence while solving the new kidnapping case.

Nell Fisher steps into a darker role as Barbara Van Laar

Fisher, who debuted as Holly Wheeler in the final seaason of ‘Stranger Things’, will play the missing teenager Barbara Van Laar. The role promises a shift from her previous sci‑fi work, offering a more dramatic, rebellious character at the centre of the mystery.

Production team blends crime‑drama pedigree with Netflix experience

Liz Moore will serve as co‑showrunner, writer, and executive producer alongside Liz Hannah, known for ‘Mindhunter’ and ‘The Girl from Plainville’. Sony Pictures Television produces the series, with Neal H. moritz and Pavun Shetty executive producing through Original Film.

Who will fill the Van Laar family’s power vacuum?

While Kerry Condon has been cast as Barbara’s mother Alice Van Laar, the series has yet to reveal other key family members or antagonists, leaving fans to wonder how the show will portray the Van Laar dynasty’s grip on the Adirondack community.