Netflix Twilight animated series gets casting calls for Jacob and

Netflix’s animated “Midnight Sun” series has opened casting for the roles of Jacob Black and his father Billy Black, confirming that production will run from August 2026 through May 2027 after a two‑year silence [1]. The move signals the first concrete step toward a likely late‑2027 or 2028 launch, reviving the franchise for a new streaming audience.

Casting details and production timeline

The casting notices call for Native‑American male actors: an adult to voice the teen Jacob with a “youthful, inviting, cheerful” husky tone, and a late‑40s to 50‑year‑old sounding actor for Billy Black, described as exuding “kindness and wisdom” [1]. No prior voice‑acting experience is required, but on‑camera work is preferred, with casting director Melissa Kostenbauder and associate Jake Warnecke leading the search. The production schedule listed in the call places filming in Los Angeles from August 2026 to May 2027, marking the first publicly confirmed timeline since the series was announced in 2024 [1].

Market context and franchise implications

Netflix announced the animated adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s 2020 novel “Midnight Sun” in 2024, positioning it as a straight‑to‑series order alongside Lionsgate [2][5]. While the original Twilight films generated $3.3 billion globally, the animated series aims to tap both legacy fans and younger viewers on the streaming platform [2]. The lack of confirmed voice talent for main characters such as Edward Cullen, and the speculation that original film stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart will not return, underscores a shift toward new talent and a fresh creative direction [4][5]. Compared with the franchise’s prior live‑action releases, the animation format offers broader stylistic freedom and could extend the IP’s lifespan beyond the diminishing returns of legacy sequels.

Competitive landscape

The revival comes as other studios re‑invest in nostalgic IPs; Lionsgate itself plans a theatrical re‑release of the original films in October, suggesting a coordinated effort to revive franchise interest across media [2]. Netflix’s move aligns with a broader industry trend of leveraging established literary properties for animated series, a format that often requires lower production budgets than live‑action while delivering high‑quality visual storytelling.

What to watch

• Production milestones – Confirmation of voice casts for additional core characters (e.g., Edward Cullen) and any announced directors.
• Premiere timing – Official release date announcements, expected in late 2027 or 2028 per current forecasts.
• Talent involvement – Whether Stephenie Meyer’s executive‑producer role translates into further creative input or influences casting decisions.

The casting calls mark the first tangible progress on “Midnight Sun” since its 2024 announcement, moving the project from concept to production. As the series advances, its ability to attract both legacy fans and new viewers will test the viability of reviving legacy franchises through animation on streaming platforms.