In the TV series, Ishmael is portrayed by Peter MacNicol. Unlike the novel, he can freely walk about, but prefers to sit most of the time. His home was not burned down by Olaf but instead, Ishmael is revealed to be the founder of V.F.D. and the estranged principal of Prufrock Preparatory School where he would induct young members into the group. He also did not force the Baudelaire parents off the island and instead they left on their own accord. Lemony deduces that Ishmael and the islanders were saved by the Incredibly Deadly Viper who swam miles into the ocean to deliver the special apple to them all, despite that he's not sure.