23 Actors Perfect For Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events

Now that we know that A Series of Unfortunate Events will deinitely premiere in 2016, we're more desperate than ever for new information about the project. Specifically, we want to meet the cast! Fans of the well-known Lemony Snicket novels — written by Daniel Handler — must be as excited as we are, seeing as the original film adaptation was never granted any follow-up installments. According to the show's IMDB page, newcomer Annika Gordon has been cast as Violet, but Netflix hasn't confirmed the news. To help curb your excitement for the upcoming series, we've imagined who would be an excellent pick for Count Olaf, the Baudelaires, and more characters who appear in the first novel.

Violet Baudelaire
Brett Helquist

Violet Baudelaire

At 14 years old, Violet is the eldest of the Baudelaires. She's an inventor, and she uses her skills to save her siblings from countless terrible situations.

Isabelle Fuhrman
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Isabelle Fuhrman

Taking on dark roles in movies like Orphan and The Hunger Games, Fuhrman would fit perfectly into Snicket's macabre world.

Hailee Steinfeld
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Hailee Steinfeld

Steinfeld's definitely got Violet's looked nailed, and if True Grit taught us anything about her, it's that she's one tough cookie.

Zoey Deutch
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Zoey Deutch

Deutch has only been in the acting game for a few years, so this could be the perfect opportunity to spread her acting wings and show us what she's made of.

Lily Collins
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Lily Collins

Not only is Collins pretty much a dead ringer for Violet, but her roles in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones and Mirror Mirror prove her wide acting range. It's key in a world filled with bleak situations and dark humor.

Olivia Cooke
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Olivia Cooke

You may recognize Olivia Cooke from Bates Motel and more recently, Ouija. Given the sinister worlds her previous projects are set in, she should feel right at home under the siege of Count Olaf.

Klaus Baudelaire
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Klaus Baudelaire

Klaus is the middle Baudelaire. He's only 12 years old, and yet he's quite intelligent. His wealth of knowledge helps his siblings decode even the most complicated puzzles and terms, and his photographic memory is perfect in any bind.

Nick Robinson
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Nick Robinson

Robinson, best known for his roles in The Kings of Summer and Melissa & Joey, doesn't have a lot of experience under his belt, but he could absolutely pull off Klaus.

Nolan Gould
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Nolan Gould

Having been on Modern Family for five years, Gould would be a perfect choice for the middle Baudelaire. Plus, he's got the same lovable, kind-of-dorky vibe that Klaus has.

Jared Gilmore
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Jared Gilmore

Gilmore has grown up before our eyes on Once Upon a Time, which means he's no stranger to mystical, fantastical universes. Of course, you wouldn't call A Series of Unfortunate Events fantasy, but it absolutely requires you to use your imagination.

Rafferty Law
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Rafferty Law

Jude Law's son has been trying to pave his own way in the modeling world, but we think he'd make an excellent candidate for a Baudelaire.

Asa Butterfield
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Asa Butterfield

Butterfield gave an epic performance as Ender in Ender's Game, but he also proved he can swing a dramatic role, like he did in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. He could bring a lot to the table.

Count Olaf
Brett Helquist

Count Olaf

Count Olaf is the central villain in the series. In each of the 13 books, he appears in a different disguise, determined to steal the Baudelaire fortune. He's most often recognized by his huge nose, lankiness, and significant height.

Neil Patrick Harris
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Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris, of course, has the right build, but he's also proven his acting skills in both comedies and dramas. This means he could capture the mood of the series perfectly, without turning it into a joke.

Daniel Day-Lewis
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Daniel Day-Lewis

Day-Lewis is obviously known for taking superserious roles, but this could be the perfect opportunity to challenge himself and lighten up a little!

Billy Bob Thornton
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Billy Bob Thornton

Thornton is a Hollywood veteran, but his recent turn to TV (in Fargo) makes us think he'd be open to joining the Netflix family.

Adrien Brody
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Adrien Brody

Brody probably has the most striking resemblance to Olaf. Think about the villainous character he played in The Grand Budapest Hotel! He'd be perfect.

James Cromwell
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James Cromwell

If American Horror Story proved anything to us, is that James Cromwell knows how to go into some seriously dark places. He'd have plenty to explore as Count Olaf.

Justice Strauss
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Justice Strauss

Although Justice Strauss doesn't play a huge part in the series as a whole, she's a crucial part of The Bad Beginning. She's Olaf's friendly neighbor and a high court judge.

Laura Linney
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Laura Linney

Linney's got that friendly face that just makes you want to trust her. Plus, given the success of The Big C, you know she's great on television.

Emma Thompson
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Emma Thompson

An award season favorite and noted funny lady, Thompson would fit perfectly into the wonky, dismal world of Lemony Snicket.

Ana Gasteyer
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Ana Gasteyer

When she played Cady's mom in Mean Girls, Gasteyer perfectly emulated the friendly, clueless adult character that so often appears in the series. Because, let's be real, so many of the adults in A Series of Unfortunate Events are remarkably unhelpful.

Vera Farmiga
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Vera Farmiga

Given the fact that Farmiga recently starred in The Judge alongside Robert Downey Jr., she probably already has a wealth of knowledge about the legal system. We do not object.

Melissa McCarthy
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Melissa McCarthy

McCarthy transitioned to TV pretty seamlessly for Mike and Molly, so it stands to reason that she'd adapt to Netflix just fine.

Mr. Poe
Brett Helquist

Mr. Poe

Mr. Poe appears in a majority of the series. Just before the events of the novels, he was promoted to vice president in charge of orphan affairs, meaning he is the manager of the Baudelaire fortune. The Baudelaires always seek his help when they're in trouble, but he usually fails to be of any assistance.

John C. Reilly
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John C. Reilly

No offense to Reilly, but he's known for playing pretty oblivious characters. From the dopey Amos in Chicago to the comical Corpsman Dey in Guardians of the Galaxy, it's clear he'd be able to nail Mr. Poe.

Nick Offerman
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Nick Offerman

Offerman obviously has the look of a distinguished banker, and we don't think he needs any other qualifications. That being said, he's great at playing humor with a straight face, so he'd be great.

Dream Casting For A Series of Unfortunate Events
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Dream Casting For A Series of Unfortunate Events