I’ve got some really difficult news to share, but it comes with a significant caveat, so please be patient with me here.

In early 2024, some incredibly talented friends and I commenced development on a new live-action fantasy series called Afar; think Game of Thrones meets The Muppets. The show would utilise practical effects, prosthetics, a full cast, and unique puppets, and follow a knight and a wizard as they take on the apocalypse.

Early last month, I had the first of several calls discussing ways we could make the project more feasible. We’d already had two filming days and a recording day, and I’d say a good 90% of our costumes and props were bought, fitted and ready to go just in time for the weather to clear up. But I understood the reservations presented. This was always going to be a hugely ambitious undertaking.

I want you to know that I really did everything I could to save the project. I put together five outline proposals over a number of weeks, along with a list of cuts and compromises to make everything less intimidating and more achievable. I’d invested so much time, energy and money in Afar that dropping everything would have been too painful.

However, it eventually became clear that this wasn’t enough. Which is why, it is with the heaviest heart that I tell you that Afar, as a live-action series, has been cancelled.

I want to apologise unreservedly to everyone who has contributed to the show, working on costumes, props and music, many of whom did it entirely off their own backs because they were as passionate as I was about creating art. I’ve spoken to most of the cast and crew individually, and I can’t thank all of them enough for their kindness and understanding.

I’m also sorry to all of our subscribers and patrons who have followed, shared and supported this project. I am so, so grateful, and your encouragement has meant more to me than I could ever adequately express.

I want to be crystal clear here that I’m not in the game of blaming anyone. As I said before, this was always going to be a massive undertaking, and I’ve tried to present as many opportunities as possible for people to back out or reduce their involvement over the last two years. The timing has been far from ideal, but I understand why certain decisions have been made.

But – and here comes the caveat I was talking about – this isn’t the end.

I’ve said from the beginning that this is a story I believe in with my whole heart, and that continues to be true to this day, which is why my co-writer, Joel Hopton, and I are now working on the first in a series of Afar novels that expand and improve upon our original vision.

The as-yet-untitled first volume of Afar will be a dark, comedic fantasy novel set in a world on the brink of destruction.

A broken knight with a devastating warning. A petulant wizard shunned by his own people. A teenage queen who’s fast learning that her power is purely symbolic. A notorious pirate with catastrophic plans for the kingdom.

All of these pale in comparison to the shadow cast by the Necromancer and the wave of death and decay they plan to unleash upon the realm.

In a chaotic world of scheming royal advisors, swashbuckling buccaneers, washed-up bards and, yes, the smartest tardigrade in existence, it’s going to take a gargantuan effort to put things right.

This will be a must-read for fans of Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, and Scott Lynch, with action, adventure, big laughs, urgent social commentary, and a hell of a lot of heart.

If you’re looking for qualifications, I’m a writer by trade. I’ve had a few children’s books published, won awards and been longlisted a couple of times for my work. Joel Hopton is one of the most talented, creative and prolific writers I’ve ever had the pleasure of collaborating with, and is already making some inspired choices.

I’m so excited to be embarking on this latest venture, and I really hope you’ll choose to stick with us. We’ve got more exciting news down the line, but please continue to follow us if you think this will still be your cup of tea.

Afar is dead. Long live Afar!

Thanks for your time,
Billy Treacy