'Dungeon Crawler Carl' author Matt Dinniman talks inspirations, success, and the upcoming Peacock TV series (interview)

As autumn leaves turn vibrant hues, the perfect time to delve into the captivating world of "Dungeon Crawler Carl" by bestselling author Matt Dinniman arrives. While you may not have read the series, you've likely encountered the books adorned with their bold, neon-colored covers at local coffee shops. This trend will only intensify with the arrival of a Peacock TV adaptation, helmed by Seth MacFarlane's Fuzzy Door and co-showrunners Eric Heisserer and Chris Yost.

The eighth installment, "A Parade of Horribles," arrived in May 2026, continuing the story of Carl and his ex-girlfriend's intelligent cat, Princess Donut, as they navigate the treacherous depths of a lethal, intergalactic dungeon for a reality show deciding humanity's fate. The series blends Douglas Adams' "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" with "The Running Man" and "Ready Player One" in the realm of Dungeons & Dragons RPGs.

Dinniman, the man behind this literary phenomenon, has been crafting stories his entire life, with this particular idea on his list for years. "Alien game show" was the line that caught his attention. With over 14 million copies sold, "Dungeon Crawler Carl" is in its prime, proving that the right story at the right time can resonate with audiences.

The series' success stems from a man pushing back against insurmountable odds, with an entire system designed to crush him for the masses' amusement. The eighth book features a talking cat, Princess Donut, and is described as the "Carl and Donut version of Mario Kart—only deadlier." Dinniman is excited about the upcoming Peacock adaptation, affirming that he remains deeply passionate about the story and the writing process.

With eight books released and two more on the way, fans have plenty of reading material before the TV series and the next book launch.