WATCHMEN Showrunner Explains Why Dan Dreiberg, Aka Nite Owl, Didn't Appear In The HBO Series

WATCHMEN Showrunner Explains Why Dan Dreiberg, Aka Nite Owl, Didn't Appear In The HBO Series

Fans were thoroughly impressed with HBO's Watchmen by how it managed to introduce new characters while also balancing old ones, but the absence of Nite Owl II was certainly noticed. Read on for more...

By LiteraryJoe - Dec 19, 2019 12:12 PM EST
Filed Under: Watchmen
Source: Collider
Much praise has been sent the way of HBO's Watchmen since its premier, and while fans initially thought this series would be devoid of any characters from the comic/film, they were quickly assured otherwise.

Watchmen featured Hooded Justice, Laurie Blake/Silk Specter II, Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias, and Dr. Manhattan, but many were left wondering why Nite Owl II was given the shaft.

In a recent interview with Collider, showrunner Damon Lindelof took the time to address why the character was left out, and he makes it clear that it wasn't as easy a decision as fans may assume.

"Oh my God, yes. I would say that we committed, it’s hard to quantify hours. But, if someone said that we kicked around that possibility for 40 hours of overall room time, that would feel a little low to me. But, one of the things that we are constantly trying to solve for, was the ratio between old and new. And, I felt very strongly that Laurie needed to be in this show. And, I felt very strongly that Manhattan needed to be in the show. And, I felt very strongly that Veidt needed to be in the show. And, we knew that the central character of the show was Hooded Justice and his granddaughter.

It felt like, if we added Dan into the mix, that the balance tipped too much towards the old, and not enough towards the new. But, we did discuss multiple versions of what it would look like for him to appear."


What do you guys think? Do you understand Lindelof's reasons for deciding not to include Nite Owl? Would you like to see the vigilante in a potential second season, or is it best to focus on the new characters being set up in the show?

Let us know in the comments, and check out the trailer for HBO's Watchmen below!


From Damon Lindelof and set in an alternate history where masked vigilantes are treated as outlaws, this drama series embraces the nostalgia of the original groundbreaking graphic novel of the same name while attempting to break new ground of its own.

Watchmen is currently streaming on HBO.
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L0RDbuckethead
L0RDbuckethead - 12/19/2019, 1:31 PM
Excellent answer. I really liked all the Owl imagery with Laurie and other characters throughout. It showed that Dan still has a presence in this story, even though he's locked up.

It was so well done. I loved every minute of this show.
lvcl
lvcl - 12/20/2019, 1:03 AM
@L0RDbuckethead -

Shitty writters
DoctorDoomSayer
DoctorDoomSayer - 12/24/2019, 3:02 AM
@lvcl - ....leave....
Pakent
Pakent - 12/19/2019, 4:25 PM
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 12/19/2019, 6:17 PM
I think a tenth episode could have been added to this season that focused on Nite Owl and Silk Spectre post 2-11
rabid
rabid - 12/19/2019, 7:01 PM
I'm glad they didn't touch on Nite Owl. Leaves us plenty of material for season 2.
OuzoPowerMan
OuzoPowerMan - 12/20/2019, 12:59 AM
So... Who was that guy that was set up in the bank? A Night Owl rip off?
tmp3
tmp3 - 12/20/2019, 1:40 AM
@OuzoPowerMan - I think he was just a Batman wannabe to establish the purpose of the vigilante task force
Victorg1983
Victorg1983 - 12/20/2019, 10:09 AM
@OuzoPowerMan - mr shadow if i am not mistaken
Kman
Kman - 12/20/2019, 6:34 AM
I could've done with some more of the old - this show was really cool and had me watching it every week. BUT it's not really my favorite.

I still like The Boys the best out of any superhero TV I saw this year.
Victorg1983
Victorg1983 - 12/20/2019, 10:10 AM
@Kman - so i guess i was the only one who thought the boys were over rated?
Kman
Kman - 12/20/2019, 10:19 AM
@Victorg1983 - maybe but you're entitled to that opinion - I thought it was a great combo of funny, intense, exciting and disturbing. I had no idea what to expect going in and it took awhile for me to decide to check it out.
soberchimera
soberchimera - 12/20/2019, 6:43 AM
I can't believe they didn't touch up on Lube Man again in the finale.
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