The Extraction franchise is expanding with another action-packed adventure, this time in the form of an eight-episode television series. Starring Lupin’s Omar Sy, the spin-off will see a whole cast of new characters embarking on a dangerous mission set within the same universe as Chris Hemsworth’s film series. Netflix has announced that Mercenary: An Extraction Series has officially begun production, with a first look revealing Sy in the lead role as a soldier for hire. As the title suggests, the series follows a mercenary tasked with rescuing hostages in Libya, leading to an action-packed battle against “warring factions and ruthless killers.” The spin-off seems like a long-form take on the Extraction formula, which largely revolves around Hemsworth rescuing people in increasingly dangerous situations. Check out the first look image below. The cast of Mercenary features Sy, Boyd Holbrook, Natalie Dormer, Waleed Zuaiter, Ed Speleers, Sacha Dhawan, Ross McCall, Pip Torrens, Sam Woolf, Michael Zananiri, Riyad Sliman, Muhannad Ben Amor, Aaron Heffernan, Jojo Macari, Theo Ogundipe and Emma Appleton. The show hails from showrunner Glen Mazzara, known for his work on The Shield and The Walking Dead. Louise Hooper (The Sandman) and Tim Southam (One Piece) will split directing duties on the eight-episode season. Read the official plot synopsis:
In this action-packed thriller, a mercenary (Omar Sy) embarks on a dangerous mission to rescue hostages in Libya. Trapped between warring factions and ruthless killers, he must navigate life-or-death choices while confronting deep emotional wounds. The series explores the trauma, betrayal, and moral conflicts of characters pushed to the edge.

‘Mercenary’ Showrunner Teases Series as a “Dream Come True”

Netflix

Those expecting the Extraction spin-off to be as ambitious as the film franchise are in luck. Showrunner Glen Mazzara told Netflix Tudum that Mercenary is “the biggest show” he has ever done, which is saying something, as he helped bring popular shows like The Walking Dead and The Shield to life. It sounds like the series isn’t pulling any punches, living up to the scale and action fans expect to see. With filming recently starting, Mazzara revealed how gratified he felt after shooting the first take on set.
“Mercenary is the biggest show I’ve ever done. It required an incredible amount of prep time. It was overwhelming to finally step on set and see the work of hundreds of people come together to bring this story to life. After our first take, I turned to … Hooper and said, ‘That’s it! That’s the show.’ It was a dream come true.”
Of course, like the Extraction movies, Mercenary is anchored by the protagonist, this time played by Omar Sy. The gun-for-hire is the “heart of the show,” Mazzara stated to Tudum, with Sy bringing warmth to the unlikely hero “trapped in impossible situations.” Even if Chris Hemsworth’s character makes an appearance, it is overwhelming clear that Sy is the star of the show.
“Omar’s humanity and charm bring a warmth to a character trapped in impossible situations. He moves effortlessly between the many worlds of our show while always remaining an outsider. He is, without a doubt, the beating heart of our show.”