July 24, 2026, 4:27 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
The planned series adaptation of the fantasy hit “Dungeon Crawler Carl” has announced its first major casting, and fans are simply thrilled. The role of Princess Donut will be taken on by none other than Jeff Hays. Hays is known, among other things, as the narrator of the successful audiobooks of the same name. He is considered one of the main reasons for the enormous success of the audio versions and is inextricably linked to the series for many readers.
Fantastic First Casting
Since it was announced in June 2026 that Seth MacFarlane’s production company Fuzzy Door would adapt the book series into a show, the fan community has been discussing possible castings. Those who follow MacFarlane’s projects know that he likes to take on distinctive or unusual roles himself and doesn’t shy away from playing multiple characters in the same production. Accordingly, many fans assume that he will secure at least one of the major roles in Dungeon Crawler Carl. That could still happen, but one of the most important characters has now been cast elsewhere.
However, the choice of Jeff Hays for the role of Princess Donut was something almost no one saw coming. Hays’ versions of the audiobooks have significantly shaped the franchise. He voices over 100 characters of various origins and genders. He is said to have been so good that author Matt Dinniman was repeatedly asked if some of the female voices were performed by additional, unnamed actresses.
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Welcome to the Dungeon
Dungeon Crawler Carl is penned by American author Matt Dinniman and is one of the most well-known and influential representatives of the so-called LitRPG genre. The abbreviation stands for “Literary Role-Playing Game.” Such stories operate under rules more familiar from video games or pen-and-paper role-playing games. Characters level up, collect equipment, unlock abilities, and must overcome increasingly difficult challenges.
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In the case of Dungeon Crawler Carl, this principle meets a mix of fantasy, science fiction, and dark humor. After the destruction of Earth, 27-year-old Carl and Princess Donut, his ex-girlfriend’s cat, must fight for survival as so-called Crawlers in a gigantic underground dungeon. The literal carnage is broadcast as an intergalactic reality show.
Fans Can Look Forward to a Wild Spectacle
With more than 14 million copies of the first eight books sold, Dungeon Crawler Carl is already one of the biggest fantasy successes of recent years. Two volumes even made it into the Top 10 of the “New York Times” bestseller list. Even more successful than the printed editions and e-books are the audiobook versions. Hays’ Audible versions have been listened to for more than 140 million hours. That’s about 15,000 years.
Production is said to have begun in June 2026. Although there is no specific broadcast date yet and the project is still in its early stages, the fact that the first roles are already being cast and made public is a good sign for fans.