Ever wondered what comes next after a beloved fantasy series gets the axe? Tune in, because Warrior Nun's mastermind is about to take us on a thrilling detour into the shadowy world of crime-solving!
Greetings, fellow TV enthusiasts! If you've been following the ups and downs of Simon Barry's career, you know he's the creative genius behind Warrior Nun, that Netflix gem adapted from Ben Dunn's comic. The show packed a punch with its supernatural battles and strong female leads, but sadly, it got canceled after just two seasons despite a passionate fan campaign to bring it back. It's a classic tale of audience love clashing with network decisions—frustrating for everyone involved.
But here's where it gets interesting: Barry hasn't slowed down. Instead, he's stepped into the role of showrunner and executive producer for Bet, a live-action take on the manga Kakegurui. Picture high-stakes gambling and psychological drama in a school setting—it's edgy stuff! And the good news? Netflix renewed it for a second season back in June 2025, proving Barry's knack for picking winners.
Now, for the big reveal: Barry's latest venture isn't another adaptation. Nope, he's gone full original with a new detective series called Time of Death. According to Deadline, this show follows a seasoned detective who relocates from Britain to Vancouver after a decade-long obsession with hunting a notorious serial killer. Imagine the emotional toll—that's ten years of your life dedicated to one elusive monster. But wait, it gets twistier: Upon arriving in Canada, he suspects his prey might be lurking in the city. So, while handling fresh cases as a local investigator, he's secretly piecing together clues to track down this ghost-like murderer. For beginners dipping into crime dramas, think of it like a modern Sherlock Holmes meets Mindhunter, where personal vendettas collide with procedural sleuthing.
This project is born from a collaborative deal between Barry's own company, Reality Distortion Field (RDF), and Omnifilm. To clarify for anyone new to Hollywood jargon, a production deal like this is basically a partnership where one side focuses on the creative vision—Barry's RDF gets full control over the storytelling and script—and the other handles the nuts-and-bolts logistics, like funding and on-set execution. Omnifilm is also behind another detective show called My Homicide, created by Bruce Ramsay. In that one, an investigator teams up with an AI clone of himself to crack cases—talk about blurring lines between human intuition and tech! It's a bold example of how AI could revolutionize crime fiction, adding a futuristic layer to traditional whodunits.
And this is the part most people miss: Barry's career is evolving in fascinating ways. While Warrior Nun built his reputation with high-octane fantasy action, and Bet delved into manipulative thrillers, Time of Death marks a shift to grounded, character-driven mysteries. It's his first wholly original series since the 2017 crime drama Bad Blood, which explored family secrets and corruption—proving he's no one-trick pony. As for timelines, we're still in the dark about when Time of Death will hit screens or how it stacks up against his upcoming work on Bet season 2. But the premise alone— a detective chasing shadows while juggling new investigations—promises intrigue that could keep viewers glued to their seats.
Here's where it might spark some debate: Is Barry abandoning his fantasy roots for good? Some fans might argue that moving from supernatural warriors to serial killer hunts feels like a radical pivot, potentially alienating those who loved the epic battles of Warrior Nun. On the flip side, others might see it as a smart evolution, showing versatility in a TV landscape obsessed with genre-hopping. Could this be a gamble that pays off, or is it risking his fanbase? It's controversial territory—after all, not everyone wants their favorite creator to reinvent themselves so drastically.
Looking ahead, Time of Death could be the launchpad for a flourishing partnership between RDF and Omnifilm. As more details emerge, it has real potential to become Barry's next big hit in dramas, much like the enduring legacy of Warrior Nun's characters, even if a third season never materialized.
What are your thoughts? Do you think Barry's shift to crime dramas will win you over, or are you holding out for more fantasy action? Will the serial killer premise live up to the hype, or does it feel too dark for mainstream appeal? Share your opinions in the comments—we'd love to hear if you're excited, skeptical, or somewhere in between!
Release Date
2020 - 2021
Network
Netflix
Showrunner
Simon Barry
Directors
Simon Barry
Writers
Simon Barry
Alba Baptista
Toya Turner
