This article includes spoilers for Halo episode 1.

Paramount+’s Halo series may have surprised viewers by saying Dr. Halsey is Miranda Keyes’ mother – but it’s not actually a video game retcon. The Halo TV series has been a long time coming; the first video game released in 2001, and there have been reports of an impending live-action adaptation since 2005. But, at last, the Master Chief is now starring in his own show on Paramount+.

The Halo TV series isn’t just inspired by the games themselves. It also draws upon a wide range of tie-ins that have been released since 2001, including novels and comics. The showrunners have switched things up a little, creating what they’re calling the “Silver Timeline” after Master Chief’s different Spartan team. What’s more, Halo episode 1 also seems to hint a particular relationship will be key to the Master Chief’s wider world. It seems that, in the world of the Halo series, Natascha McElhone’s Dr. Miranda Halsey – creator of the Spartans – had a relationship with the legendary Captain Jacob Keyes (Danny Sapani). Miranda Keyes (Olive Gray), another important figure in the UNSC, is in fact their daughter.

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Surprisingly, this family dynamic isn’t a retcon at all – it’s part of the main timeline too. Captain Jacob Keyes died in the first Halo game, but his place was taken by his daughter, Miranda, who had inherited his tactical brilliance. Later on, Halo: Reach included journal entries from Dr. Halsey that revealed she was Miranda Keyes’ mother. According to these notes, Miranda was born in 2525 and was originally raised by her mother. In 2531, Miranda was sent to her father to be brought up on the Luna Colony, and Halsey believed Miranda had her surname changed to Keyes in an attempt to earn her father’s approval. Halsey believed the same motivation lay behind Miranda’s decision to join the UNSC.

The core idea may be lifted straight from the original Halo timeline, but the character dynamics were never explored. Paramount+’s Halo series jumps back before the Fall of Reach, to a time when all three were serving in the UNSC together. Already there are signs of friction – but, interestingly, not just between Miranda Keyes and Dr. Halsey. If Miranda did indeed join the UNSC to impress her father in the Silver Timeline, then she may well be reconsidering that. Halo episode 1 sees Miranda express her disgust at a decision made at the highest level of the UNSC, and she’s clearly just as unimpressed with her father for his acquiescence with it.

It’s a smart move to place this family dynamic at the heart of the politicking inside the UNSC. It means the predictable betrayals and deceptions carry a personal cost for the characters, while it also has the potential to set Miranda Keyes up to become a very different character. Paramount+’s Halo TV series is clearly willing to question the ethics of the UNSC – and Miranda could easily become the voice of challenge.

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About The Author


Thomas Bacon
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Tom Bacon is one of Screen Rant’s staff writers, as well as a Peer Mentor for new writers and a member of the Care Team, offering support and a listening ear to members of the Comics group. A lifelong fan of major franchises including Star Wars, Doctor Who, and Marvel, Tom is delighted his childhood is back – and this time it’s cool. You can find him on Twitter @TomABacon.

A graduate of Edge Hill University, Tom remains strongly connected with his alma mater as a volunteer chaplain. He’s heavily involved with his local church, and anyone who checks him out on Twitter will swiftly learn he’s into British politics too.

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