What Happened to Princess Donut Dungeon Crawler Carl (Book Series)?
The 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' book series, featuring the beloved Princess Donut, has evolved from a popular web serial into a global LitRPG phenomenon, selling over 14 million copies. As of mid-2026, the series has expanded into a live-action Peacock TV series, tabletop role-playing games, graphic novels, and a webcomic, with the final main series book currently in development.
Quick Answer
The 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' book series, prominently featuring Princess Donut, has achieved immense success, with its eighth installment, 'A Parade of Horribles,' released in May 2026. The franchise is currently undergoing a significant expansion, including a live-action TV series adaptation by Peacock, greenlit in June 2026, where original audiobook narrator Jeff Hays is confirmed to voice Princess Donut. Additionally, a tabletop RPG, a deck-building game, and graphic novel adaptations are in various stages of release and development, solidifying its status as a major transmedia property.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
First Book Self-Published
Matt Dinniman self-published 'Dungeon Crawler Carl,' the first book in the series, after its initial run as a web serial.
Book 2 Released
'Carl's Doomsday Scenario' was released, continuing the adventures of Carl and Princess Donut.
Book 3 Released
'The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook' was published, further developing the series' plot and characters.
Book 5 Released
'The Butcher's Masquerade' was released, marking another significant installment in the growing series.
Book 6 Released
'The Eye of the Bedlam Bride' was published, continuing the narrative on the lower dungeon floors.
Penguin Random House Acquires Rights
Penguin Random House acquired the publishing rights for the series, leading to wider distribution and the introduction of hardcover editions.
Book 7 (eBook) Released
'This Inevitable Ruin,' the seventh book in the series, was released in eBook format. The audiobook followed on February 11, 2025.
Webcomic Adaptation Launched
A webcomic adaptation of 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' began publishing on Webtoon, expanding the series into a new visual medium.
Tabletop RPG Announced
Renegade Game Studios announced a partnership with Matt Dinniman to develop a tabletop role-playing game set in the 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' universe.
Tabletop RPG Crowdfunding Success
A BackerKit crowdfunding campaign for the 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' tabletop RPG and a deck-building game, 'Unstoppable,' launched and raised over $4.5 million on its first day, nearing $10 million.
Book 8 Released
'A Parade of Horribles,' the eighth book in the series, was released simultaneously in e-book, hardcover, and audiobook formats, becoming an instant #1 New York Times Bestseller.
Graphic Novel Vol. 1 Released
The first volume of the 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' graphic novel adaptation was published in print format through Vault Comics.
Peacock Greenlights TV Series
Peacock officially gave a straight-to-series order for a live-action 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' TV adaptation, with Seth MacFarlane and Chris Yost involved.
Book 9 Prologue Posted
Matt Dinniman posted the prologue for the ninth and final book in the series, tentatively titled 'The Beautiful Place,' on Patreon, indicating active writing.
Jeff Hays Cast as Princess Donut for TV Series
At San Diego Comic-Con 2026, it was announced that Jeff Hays, the acclaimed audiobook narrator, would voice Princess Donut in Peacock's live-action TV series adaptation.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' series, centered around Carl and his ex-girlfriend's sapient cat, Princess Donut, began its journey as a web serial before author Matt Dinniman self-published the first book in October 2020. Its unique blend of brutal survival, absurd humor, and LitRPG mechanics quickly garnered a dedicated fanbase, propelling it to significant success within the indie publishing scene. Princess Donut, a former show cat transformed into a charismatic and often abrasive crawler, quickly became a fan favorite, known for her distinctive personality, evolving abilities, and iconic tiara.
A key turning point for the series occurred in 2024 when Penguin Random House acquired the publishing rights, signaling its mainstream appeal and leading to wider distribution and the release of hardcover editions. This move further amplified the series' reach, which, as of July 2026, has sold over fourteen million copies across all formats and accumulated over 140 million listening hours for its highly acclaimed audiobooks, narrated by Jeff Hays. The audiobooks are particularly celebrated for Hays's masterful voice work, which many fans consider integral to the characters, especially Princess Donut.
The series continued its rapid expansion into 2026 with several major announcements. The eighth main series book, 'A Parade of Horribles,' was released on May 12, 2026, becoming an instant #1 New York Times Bestseller and the first to receive a simultaneous hardcover release alongside its e-book and audiobook versions. This release further advanced the narrative, placing Carl and Donut on the tenth floor amidst increasing chaos.
Perhaps the most significant development in 2026 is the greenlighting of a live-action TV series adaptation by Peacock. Announced in June 2026, with Seth MacFarlane's Fuzzy Door and Universal Global Television producing, the series will be written and executive produced by Chris Yost. A major announcement at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 on July 24, 2026, confirmed that Jeff Hays, the original audiobook narrator, would voice Princess Donut in the live-action show, a decision widely praised by fans. Production for the series began in June 2026.
Beyond the main book series and TV adaptation, the 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' universe is expanding into other media. In July 2025, a webcomic adaptation launched on Webtoon, with a print version through Vault Comics released in May 2026. Renegade Game Studios partnered with Dinniman to develop a tabletop role-playing game and a deck-building game, 'Dungeon Crawler Carl: Unstoppable,' which successfully crowdfunded nearly $10 million by April 2026 and are scheduled for release later in the year. A graphic novel, 'Dungeon Crawler Carl: Crocodile,' focusing on the character Florin DuPont, was announced in August 2025. Author Matt Dinniman confirmed in February 2026 that the series will conclude with a ninth book, tentatively titled 'The Beautiful Place,' with its prologue posted in June 2026, indicating active writing for the final installment. A deluxe hardcover collector's edition of the first book is also slated for release in November 2026.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Princess Donut Dungeon Crawler Carl (Book Series) made different choices?