Fans of the beloved Microsoft franchise can rejoice, as they now have more than one reason to dive back into the world of Master Chief. Riding on the wave of hype created by the recent announcement of Halo Infinite at E3, 343 Industries wasted no time in doubling down on the mass appeal of the series. Showtime CEO and president David Nevins announced today that the expansive universe of Halo will be brought to the network as a 10-episode season.

We’re thrilled to share that @Showtime has announced details on a brand-new television series based on the Halo universe, in partnership with @amblin! Check out first details from our own @k_wolfkill. #HaloTV https://t.co/fOPUeHMyF3 pic.twitter.com/hew3TlIt60

— Halo (@Halo) June 28, 2018

The setting of the TV show – set loosely in the original Halo: CE game – should be familiar to anyone that has engaged with the franchise since its breakout hit in 2001. With more than 65 million copies sold, $3.4 billion in grossed sales, and an exceedingly loyal fanbase, the Halo series seems like a logical choice for an adaptation on the TV screen. Since the release of the film and miniseries, Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, fans have been clamoring for a high-budget, full-fledged television series. And now, together with Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television and game developers 343 Industries, Showtime will realize that ambition. At the helm are executive producers Kyle Killen (Awake) and Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes). Killen will also act as writer and showrunner, while Wyatt is responsible for directing several of the episodes.

For a network with such an impressive lineup of shows, it is encouraging to hear that Showtime is investing a lot into the series. “Halo is our most ambitious series ever, and we expect audiences who have been anticipating it for years to be thoroughly rewarded,” said Nevins. For those worried about the potential pitfalls of bringing such a beloved franchise to another medium, Kiki Wolfkill, head of Halo Transmedia at 343 Industries, has stated:

As we think about what it means to bring video game franchises to movie or TV – the biggest challenge can often be finding the right balance between moments fans have already experienced and moments that have yet to be experienced through a different medium, perspective, or creative lens. We are excited to navigate these creative waters to bring you something that is both respectful of what you already know and love, but also new and surprising and enthralling.

Joining the already stacked executive producer team is Scott Pennington, as well as Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank from Amblin Television. CBS Studios International will handle global distribution of the series. Though there is no set premiere date yet, full production is expected to begin early 2019.