Peacock’s ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ Just Got Greenlit, and Here Are the Actors Who Could Nail the Lead Role

Peacock has officially given a straight to series order to ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl,’ the live action adaptation of Matt Dinniman’s bestselling LitRPG book series. The project comes from Seth MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door and Universal Global Television, with Dinniman serving as co-executive producer and announcing the pickup himself on social media. Chris Yost, known for his work on ‘The Mandalorian,’ is attached as writer and executive producer, while Dinniman is set as a non-writing co-executive producer.

With the series moving forward, fans and critics alike have started throwing out names for who should step into the boxers and leather jacket of Carl himself. No cast members have been announced yet, which has left plenty of room for speculation. Below are seven actors who keep coming up as strong contenders for the role.

Connor Storrie Brings Physicality and Comic Timing to the ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ Search

Connor Storrie has become a breakout name in the casting conversation. He exploded onto the scene as stoic Russian hockey player Ilya Rozanov in HBO Max’s hit series ‘Heated Rivalry,’ and fans have wondered what the promising young talent would do next.

Storrie is described as handsome and physically imposing, cutting the kind of figure that could carve through countless intergalactic beasts while wearing next to nothing. He has already showcased the tools necessary to handle Carl’s sensitive side, his love for Princess Donut, alongside his all encompassing rage.

His comedic chops matter just as much as his build. His guest stint on ‘Saturday Night Live’ proved Storrie was naturally funny and a game goofball, an actor not above looking silly or acting preposterous to sell a joke.

Supporters argue that Storrie has depth that remains untapped, having studied literal clowning as part of his training. That combination of raw physicality and genuine comedic instinct is exactly what a lot of fans want for Carl.

Will Poulter Offers Range for the ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ Adaptation

Will Poulter is another name that keeps surfacing. He began his career as a scrawny, geeky type in films like ‘Chronicles of Narnia, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader’ and ‘We’re the Millers,’ before bulking up considerably for ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.’

Despite the physical transformation, Poulter hasn’t lost his comedic timing. He cut his teeth on both comedy and action with childhood roles in projects like ‘Son of Rambow’ and ‘The Maze Runner.’

As an adult, he has taken on a wide range of roles. His resume includes the intense war drama ‘Warfare’ and the dark comedy ‘Death of a Unicorn,’ along with a heartbreaking turn as a drug addict in the Sundance selected ‘Union County.’

That mix of brawn, charm, and quiet emotionality is what makes Poulter such a popular pick among people imagining the show’s tone. He fits the profile of someone who can bicker convincingly with a talking cat while still selling the character’s vulnerability.

Noah Centineo Could Bring Star Power to the Carl Casting Conversation

Noah Centineo’s name has also entered the mix, in part because of his overlap with Poulter. He coincidentally co-starred with Poulter in both ‘Union County’ and ‘Warfare.’

Centineo built his fanbase through the Netflix romantic comedy franchise ‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,’ and has since branched out significantly. He has dabbled in superhero action with ‘Black Adam,’ espionage thrills in Netflix’s ‘The Recruit,’ and dark comedy in A24’s ‘Dream Scenario’ with Nicolas Cage.

He also has an interesting near miss on his resume. Centineo was once slated to play He Man in a ‘Masters of the Universe’ film before he stepped away while the project sat in development.

Advocates for Centineo point to his charisma, his physical presence, and the quiet gentleness he brings despite his size. He is also set to play a young version of the character originated by Sylvester Stallone in a ‘Rambo’ prequel, which some believe would prime him for the brutal battles found throughout Dinniman’s world.

Tyriq Withers Represents a Rising Star Pick for Carl

Tyriq Withers has had a massive year, and that momentum has fans floating him for the lead role. He starred in the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s ‘Reminders of Him,’ played the titular star athlete in the sports horror film ‘Him,’ and joined the ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ slasher franchise.

His physical stature lines up well with how readers picture Carl. At 6’5″, Withers has the towering, masculine presence readers expect, and has proven he can handle the physicality and righteous anger the character demands.

Beyond the action credentials, Withers has real comedic range that not everyone associates with him yet. His supporting role in the remake of ‘Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead’ produced one of the funniest moments in the entire movie, and his performance in an episode of ‘Atlanta’ has long been praised as the reason that installment worked at all.

For fans hoping the show finds an emerging star rather than an established name, Withers is frequently cited as the pick with the most breakout potential.

Jack Innanen Brings Comedic Chops to the ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ Fan Casting Debate

Jack Innanen has carved out a growing reputation as a go to comedic performer, and his name has gained traction in casting discussions. He turned TikTok popularity into an acting career, appearing in the sketch series ‘The Dessert’ and the series ‘The Office Movers’ before landing roles on FX’s ‘Adults’ and Netflix’s ‘Big Mistakes’ alongside Dan Levy, Taylor Ortega, and Laurie Metcalf.

His charm has already opened other doors. He generated consideration for a role in ‘Heated Rivalry’ season 2, though he had to turn it down due to scheduling conflicts.

Fans pushing for Innanen argue that Carl spending most of his time without pants or shoes requires a very specific energy, and that his supporting work has primed him for exactly that kind of leading turn. He would need to bulk up for the physical demands of the role, but his comedic instincts are seen as a major asset.

Kit Connor Fits the Character’s Canonical Age

Age accuracy has become a genuine point of debate among fans, and Kit Connor’s name keeps coming up because of it. Canonically, Carl is 27 years old when he and Donut descend into the Dungeon, and Connor, born in 2004, is a few years younger, which some fans believe would actually work in the show’s favor.

Supporters point to his ability to grow into the role. Since the show is unlikely to run for the nine plus seasons it would take to adapt all ten planned books in real time, a younger actor allows the character to age naturally without the series ending with Carl in his late fifties.

His emotional range is also frequently cited. Connor has captured audiences with his role as Nick Nelson in Netflix’s ‘Heartstopper,’ and fans believe he has the emotional depth and self deprecating charm to complement Donut’s personality.

He has also already shared a set with a fellow name on this list. Connor had a supporting role in ‘Warfare,’ the war docudrama that also starred Will Poulter.

John Boyega Could Bring Blockbuster Experience to Carl

John Boyega rounds out the list, with fans pointing to his ‘Star Wars’ history as proof he can carry the emotional weight the role demands. His character Finn was memorably sidelined in the sequel trilogy after a strong introduction in ‘The Force Awakens,’ but Boyega’s charisma, likability, and talent made it easy for audiences to keep rooting for him even when his story stalled.

Fans see parallels between Finn and Carl in terms of underlying spirit. Boyega’s presence and determination during Finn’s fight with Captain Phasma in ‘The Last Jedi’ is cited as peak Carl energy, someone ready to sacrifice everything for the people he cares about.

Supporters argue that Carl needs hope, love, cunning, and sheer force of will wrapped into one capable package, and that Boyega has already proven he can deliver exactly that combination on a blockbuster scale.

Casting is expected to remain one of the most closely watched aspects of this adaptation as it heads toward production, and with ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ set to appear at San Diego Comic Con this year, more details could surface soon. Which of these seven do you think has what it takes to survive the dungeon alongside Princess Donut?